November 14, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified its clearing operations along the Andheri–Ghatkopar Link Road (AGLR), demolishing 24 structures near Jhunjhunwala College, Ghatkopar, as part of the ongoing road-widening work. In addition, demolition is underway for 35 more structures affected by the construction of a new cable-stayed rail overbridge at Ghatkopar along the same corridor.
The AGLR improvement project has faced delays due to nearly 250 structures obstructing progress on both sides of the road. The civic body is currently developing a 15.25-metre-wide road parallel to Ghatkopar (West) railway station that will link Jhunjhunwala College to the AGLR. Several encroachments had previously hindered this connection. The new rail overbridge, being executed by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC), aims to ease congestion and strengthen connectivity in the Ghatkopar area.
The upcoming cable-stayed bridge will serve as a major east–west connector, stretching from the Golibar Road junction near LBS Marg to the Eastern Express Highway. The reconstruction is being carried out in two phases by MRIDC, with financial support from the BMC. Although the work order was issued in 2022, encroachments along the approach roads have significantly slowed progress on both the bridge and the widening project.
According to civic officials, the BMC’s N Ward has cleared over 100 structures in the past year, with further demolitions scheduled. “Owners of residential and commercial properties affected by these projects were formally notified and compensated before the demolitions,” an official said.
The need for the new bridge became more urgent after structural audits conducted in the aftermath of the Gokhale Bridge incident. IIT-Bombay’s 2018 inspection found the existing Ghatkopar structure to be severely overloaded and requiring major repairs. To address traffic pressure, the BMC initiated the widening of the AGLR. The new cable-stayed bridge will span 216 metres in length and 11 metres in width, accommodating three lanes in each direction. Due to delays linked to encroachments, the project’s original 2025 completion target has now been revised to June 2027.
Source: The Free Press Journal
