Mumbai’s long-awaited Vidyavihar Connector flyover is nearing completion after nearly eight years of delays, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) expecting to open the vital link to traffic by the end of September.
Final-stage activities, including painting, staircase work and laying of the road surface, are currently underway. The bridge is expected to provide a faster connection between Vidyavihar East and West, significantly reducing travel time during peak hours.
Final Work Progressing
A senior BMC Bridge Department official said, “The bridge is nearing completion, with the solid approach, expansion joints, anti-crash barriers and central median already in place. Footpath, staircase and painting works are underway, while the laying of Mastic Asphalt and Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM)—key pavement layers used to provide a durable, long-lasting road surface is scheduled for next week. Signage is ready, and coordination with the Railways is ongoing for the bridge handover.”
The flyover was initially expected to be completed by September 10, but the opening was pushed back as the BMC is also widening approach roads on both sides to prevent traffic bottlenecks once the structure becomes operational.
Local activist Anil Galgali said, “The flyover has been delayed by nearly eight years. Once the Vidyavihar flyover opens to traffic, it will help ease congestion on the Ghatkopar-Haveli Bridge and the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road.”
Faster East-West Movement
The connector will link Ramkrishna Chemburkar Marg in Vidyavihar East with Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in the west, while also providing direct pedestrian access to Vidyavihar railway station.
Once opened, the 612-metre, four-lane flyover is expected to cut peak-hour travel between Vidyavihar East and West from around 40-45 minutes to 10-15 minutes.
Constructed over Central Railway tracks, the bridge includes a 100-metre railway span, with each girder weighing approximately 1,100 metric tonnes.
Project Faced Repeated Setbacks
The proposal for the flyover dates back to 1991, but the project was revived in 2016 and construction eventually began in 2018. It was originally expected to be completed by mid-2022.
However, the project faced setbacks because of the Covid-19 pandemic, design modifications and other construction-related issues. AB Infrabuild Limited received the work order in February 2024, while repeated extensions pushed the project cost to approximately Rs 178.93 crore.
The connector is expected to benefit commuters travelling through the Vidyavihar-Ghatkopar-Kurla corridor, potentially reducing travel time, fuel consumption and vehicle operating costs.
With only finishing activities and final coordination remaining, the Vidyavihar Connector is now approaching its long-awaited opening, which could mark a major improvement in east-west connectivity in Mumbai’s central suburbs.
Source: The Free Press Journal
