Residents living along the Balasaheb Thackeray Flyover in Jogeshwari West say they have spent nearly a decade coping with relentless traffic noise, glaring vehicle headlights and a loss of privacy, while their repeated demands for sound and vision barriers remain unaddressed.
The flyover, which links SV Road with the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and the Western Express Highway (WEH), runs close to several residential buildings. Although many recently constructed flyovers across Mumbai have been equipped with soundproofing and visual screens, locals claim similar infrastructure has yet to be installed here despite multiple representations to civic authorities since 2015.
Residents living adjacent to the structure say the constant flow of traffic, frequent honking and headlights shining directly into their homes have significantly affected their daily lives. Many claim they are forced to keep their windows shut for most of the day to reduce noise and maintain privacy.
Abdul Rehman, a 56-year-old social worker whose building is located beside the flyover, described the challenges residents continue to face.
“My building is adjacent to the flyover. The noise and headlights are overwhelming. We have been following up with the authorities since 2015, but there has been no response. The flyover is so close that motorists can easily look directly into our homes. Women and children feel uncomfortable, and for the sake of privacy we have had to keep our windows closed most of the time,” he said.
Rehman also recalled an incident last year when a water balloon was allegedly thrown from the flyover into a residential flat.
“We reported the incident, but nothing came of it. Several recently inaugurated bridges across Mumbai, including at Grant Road, Oshiwara and Goregaon, already have sound and vision barriers. We fail to understand why this flyover has been ignored despite our constant follow-up,” he added.
Shahnawaz Siddiqui, 42, said residents submitted numerous complaints between 2015 and 2025 but have received little more than assurances.
“This delay is affecting the health and quality of life of thousands. Continuous traffic disrupts sleep, affects children, causes stress and impacts senior citizens. After 10 years, the public deserves clear answers. Which department is responsible? Who will be held accountable for a decade of inaction?” he said.
Another resident, Mansoor Darvesh, 66, said the situation worsens whenever ambulances pass over the flyover.
“The situation becomes worse when ambulances pass on the flyover. Their sirens and honking during peak traffic hours echo directly into our homes,” he said.
According to Darvesh, residents have been informed that the tender process is still pending, while the ongoing Metro Line 6 and JVLR road expansion works have led to different agencies passing responsibility between one another.
Responding to the concerns, Akshay Ghadge, an official from the BMC’s Bridges Department (Western Suburbs), said the proposal is moving forward.
“We have fast-tracked the matter, and the file has been sent to the head office for the necessary approvals. Once approvals are received, we will immediately float the tender, following which the work will commence,” Ghadge said.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
