Vikhroli East-West Connector Nears Completion, But Delays Spark Concerns
Mumbai’s long-awaited Vikhroli East-West Connector, designed to ease traffic between Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg (LBS Road) and the Eastern Express Highway (EEH), is finally nearing completion, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) assuring that the bridge will open to vehicular traffic before the monsoon in 2025. However, civic activists have expressed scepticism about the timeline, citing delays in the construction of the approach road on the western side.
Initially sanctioned in 2018, the Vikhroli connector project was scheduled for completion by October 2020. Since then, it has faced multiple setbacks due to changes in design, land acquisition hurdles, encroachment issues, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These delays have pushed the deadline several times—from May 2023 to December 2024, and now to May 2025. Local activist Jayant Dandekar highlighted the prolonged inconvenience faced by Vikhroli residents due to poor east-west connectivity. “While areas like Ghatkopar and Kanjurmarg benefit from road overbridges, Vikhroli residents are forced to take longer routes to commute between the east and west. This bridge was meant to ease our commute, but it has only added to our frustration,” Dandekar remarked. He further pointed out that work on the western approach road hasn’t even started, casting doubt on whether the project will meet the new deadline.
Adding to the concerns, Ganesh Shetty, another civic activist, warned that without widening the existing roads in the vicinity, the new bridge could worsen traffic congestion instead of alleviating it. “The Eastern Express Highway is already congested. Simply adding a bridge without expanding road capacity will create bottlenecks, leading to even more traffic chaos,” Shetty said. He stressed the need for additional manpower to expedite the work, noting that current construction progress has been slow. However, BMC officials remain optimistic. A senior official from the bridge department explained, “The Vikhroli connector has an ‘S’-shaped girder, which requires meticulous installation. The girder is currently being assembled at the factory, and all related work is expected to be completed by May 2025.”
The Vikhroli East-West Connector is more than just a bridge; it represents a critical infrastructural link aimed at reducing travel time and easing congestion in one of Mumbai’s busiest corridors. Yet, the repeated delays and lack of comprehensive planning around adjoining road infrastructure raise questions about the efficiency of civic project management in the city. For Vikhroli residents, the bridge remains a symbol of both hope and frustration—promising smoother commutes in the future but reflecting the chronic delays that plague Mumbai’s urban development projects. As the monsoon deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the BMC to see if they can finally deliver on their long-standing promise.
