Mumbai’s Vikhroli neighbourhood is on the cusp of a long-awaited breakthrough in urban mobility as the 615-metre Road Over Bridge (ROB) nears inauguration.
After decades of delays and community advocacy, the new bridge is expected to substantially reduce east-west congestion in one of the city’s fastest-developing zones, offering both structural relief and socio-economic uplift.With final works underway — including signal installations, traffic lane markings, and island dividers — the bridge is likely to open to the public within days. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed completion of civil works earlier this week, bringing an end to what has been a 23-year struggle for local residents seeking a seamless link between the Eastern Express Highway and LBS Road.
The four-lane structure, 12 metres wide, has been jointly constructed by the BMC and Indian Railways. While the BMC executed 565 metres of the span, the remaining 50 metres crossing the railway tracks were built by the Railways. A pedestrian walkway runs along the railway section, although some access points are still pending completion.What makes this bridge vital is its location — connecting the densely populated Tagore Nagar and Kannamwar Nagar localities in the east with western Vikhroli, which until now lacked any direct road linkage. With the nearest overpasses located at Ghatkopar and Kanjurmarg, residents have long been forced to take circuitous detours, resulting in daily congestion and pollution. The new bridge promises to close this mobility gap, cutting commute time significantly and offering a more sustainable alternative to car-heavy detours.
On-ground preparations are currently intense. At the eastern landing, six traffic signal posts are being installed to manage vehicle flows in three directions — toward Tagore Nagar, Kannamwar Nagar, and the Eastern Express Highway. Traffic islands and directional dividers are also under construction to guide motorists through the complex intersection. A similar transformation is taking place on the LBS Road side, with new traffic lights and painted lanes to ensure safe merging.For the Vikhroli community, this project has been both a civic crusade and a matter of dignity. “We’ve waited 23 years for this bridge,” said Ganesh Mahabal Shetty, a local activist who began pushing for the ROB in 2002. “It was a battle of patience, paperwork, and persistence — but it’s finally happening.”
Local groups such as the Bombay Catholic Sabha played a critical role in maintaining pressure on officials. “When the level crossing shut in 2011, Vikhroli was virtually cut in two,” said Mario Rodrigues, a long-time resident. “A single food stall on the western side stalled progress for years, but our combined efforts got it removed, and work resumed.”Not everything is smooth, however. Some residents have raised concerns over sharp curves at the western end of the bridge, which could be risky for two-wheeler riders, particularly during monsoons. Others point to displaced infrastructure, such as disrupted telecom lines, that remain unrestored.
Despite these issues, the ROB is being seen as a landmark improvement in Mumbai’s road infrastructure — offering not just a physical link but also reinforcing the importance of citizen engagement in urban planning. The bridge, once operational, is expected to ease vehicular congestion, support eco-friendly transport by reducing fuel consumption from detours, and help Mumbai edge closer to a more liveable, connected future.
While the final signal calibration and safety inspections are still underway, the sense on the ground is one of cautious optimism. For Vikhroli, a more connected and efficient future is finally within reach.
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