January 27, 2026: A viral video of the newly built Rs 100-crore double-decker flyover in Mira-Bhayandar has sparked a sharp public debate over safety and planning, turning what was meant to be a key traffic solution into a subject of online ridicule. The flyover, part of the Metro Line 9 project, shows a four-lane carriageway abruptly narrowing into just two lanes mid-span, a design choice that has left commuters and social media users alarmed.
“Engineering marvel at its best,” reads one sarcastic post on X accompanying the video, which has since been widely shared. While the project is intended to ease congestion in Mumbai’s northern suburbs, users are calling the sudden lane reduction a dangerous “bottleneck” that could lead to accidents, especially once the flyover opens to traffic in February. Questions are being raised about how the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) cleared a layout that forces high-speed traffic into a narrow stretch without a gradual transition.
Public frustration has been amplified by the project’s cost, with taxpayers arguing that a Rs 100-crore budget should have ensured safer and more consistent road design. Many fear that the narrowing could be difficult to spot at night, increasing the risk for motorists unfamiliar with the route.
Social media commentary has been relentless. A user, @DealsDhamaka, reposted the clip saying, “Have travelled to several countries, but never seen such an engineering marvel 4 lane flyover narrowed down to 2 lane mid-air ?? How is this possible ?” Another post mocked the authorities, stating, “I love this new traffic calming technique by Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation. Automotive companies can also test their vehicles here. Mumbai Region is truly a hub of engineering marvels.”
While officials have earlier cited land constraints and the presence of Metro Line 9 pillars as challenges, residents and experts argue that even unavoidable narrowing should have been designed more gradually. With the inauguration nearing, calls are growing for improved lighting, reflectors, and signage to prevent the flyover from becoming an accident-prone stretch. Beyond immediate safety concerns, urban planners warn that the two-lane choke point could undermine the flyover’s long-term traffic benefits, potentially shifting congestion rather than resolving it.
