Nearly four years after Metro 7 began operations, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated plans for a 164-metre pedestrian bridge to connect Gundavali Metro Station in Andheri East with the opposite side of the Western Express Highway (WEH).
The Red Line was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 20, 2023, initially connecting Gundavali with Dahisar East before being extended towards Mira-Bhayandar. Despite the metro’s expansion, passengers crossing the WEH near Gundavali have continued to negotiate busy traffic at road level.
According to an MMRDA official, the proposed bridge was planned following feedback from commuters seeking a safer and more convenient crossing.
The foot over bridge (FOB) will be constructed at the northern end of Gundavali Metro Station. It will initially run alongside the Metro tracks before crossing the WEH near the point where the Jog Flyover terminates. On the opposite side of the highway, however, the bridge will follow a different alignment instead of running parallel to the flyover.
The 164-metre structure is expected to require around one year for construction, excluding the monsoon period. MMRDA has already floated tenders for appointing consultants and contractors for the project.
Another pedestrian bridge is currently being constructed on the southern side of Gundavali Metro Station. The structure is also intended to allow passengers to cross the highway without interacting with vehicular traffic.
However, progress on the southern bridge has been slow. It is being built to take pedestrians beneath the Jog Flyover. “With the monsoon season now over, construction work will gain pace,” the official said.
The southern bridge will connect with an existing elevated pedestrian walkway that currently ends near Goldspot/Bisleri Factory Junction.
Once both bridges are operational, they could improve pedestrian movement around Gundavali and make transfers between Metro 7 and Mumbai Metro Line 1 safer and more convenient.
Metro 7 currently serves commuters travelling towards Mira-Bhayandar, while passengers heading towards Borivali and Dahisar West need to change at Dahisar East. Meanwhile, the Yellow Line is eventually expected to extend towards Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Source: Hindustan Times
