Mumbai commuters have reason to celebrate as the long-awaited Vikhroli flyover was officially opened to traffic on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 4 PM. This 615-metre bridge connects Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Marg in Vikhroli West to the Eastern Express Highway in Vikhroli East, significantly enhancing connectivity between Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs.
Constructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at a cost of ₹104.77 crore, the flyover aims to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce travel time between these key areas by approximately 30 minutes. The project, which commenced during the tenure of then-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in 2018, faced multiple delays due to encroachments, land acquisition issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, the BMC completed the project within the stipulated deadline of May 31, 2025. In a bid to expedite the benefits to commuters and avoid inconvenience during the monsoon season, Chief Minister Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, directed the BMC to open the flyover without any formal inauguration ceremony. The decision underscores the government’s commitment to improving urban mobility and addressing long-standing infrastructure bottlenecks in Mumbai.
The flyover spans 12 metres in width and comprises 19 piers, with 12 located on the eastern side and seven on the western side. The structure was completed in three phases, involving the installation of 18 spans of girders. A designated traffic holding bay has been provided on the western approach for public convenience. While the opening of the Vikhroli flyover marks a significant milestone in Mumbai’s infrastructure development, it has also sparked political debates. Various political parties, including the UBT Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and the BJP, have laid claim to the project’s initiation and completion. Despite the lack of a formal inauguration, political banners and flags adorned the bridge, highlighting the ongoing tussle for credit among leaders.
Local commuters have expressed optimism about the flyover’s potential to ease traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours. However, some residents have pointed out that while the flyover improves connectivity, internal roads in certain areas remain narrow, which could continue to pose challenges for traffic flow. As Mumbai continues to grapple with rapid urbanisation and increasing vehicular traffic, the Vikhroli flyover represents a step towards enhancing the city’s infrastructure. By improving connectivity and reducing travel time, the flyover contributes to the broader goal of creating a more efficient and sustainable urban transport system.
The BMC’s successful completion of the Vikhroli flyover project demonstrates the potential for timely and effective infrastructure development in Mumbai. As the city looks towards future projects, the lessons learned from this initiative can inform strategies to address other pressing urban mobility challenges.
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