July 30, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to demolish 60 structures on the western side of the Vidyavihar East-West connector route starting in October, following the monsoon season. Civic officials have warned that delays in rehabilitating the affected residents could impact the project’s revised completion deadline of May 2026.
To prevent further setbacks, BMC has directed officials to complete the rehabilitation and eviction of project-affected persons (PAPs) within the next two to three months. The flyover, a two-lane structure over the Vidyavihar railway tracks, will connect Ramchandra Chemburkar Road (east) with LBS Road (west) in Ghatkopar. The total stretch spans 650 metres, including a 100-metre main span over the railway line, a 220-metre approach from the east, and a 330-metre approach from the west.
As part of the project, a dedicated access route to Vidyavihar railway station platforms will also be constructed. On-site infrastructure improvements include reconstruction of station ticket counters, station master’s office, stairways, and service roads. The Somaiya Nullah on the eastern side will also be rebuilt to support the service road.
“Two massive steel girders, each about 100 metres long and weighing approximately 1,100 metric tonnes, have already been installed. On the western side, four pillars are up, but work is hindered by remaining structures—residential, religious, and commercial buildings, and a civic toilet block,” a civic official stated. “Delays in rehabilitation could prevent the bridge from opening before the 2026 monsoon.”
Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar reviewed the progress on Tuesday and instructed officials to expedite PAP rehabilitation and begin utility relocation, including water and sewer pipelines.
Originally proposed in 1991 and initiated in 2018, the project has seen delays and cost escalation, from Rs 99.98 crore to Rs 178.93 crore. Once completed, it will reduce travel time between Vidyavihar East and West from over 30 minutes to 10–15 minutes.
Source: The Free Press Journal
