24 May,2025 09:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Carnac flyover, located near the Masjid Bunder Railway Station, connects to the P D`Mello Road, while the Vikhroli flyover near the Vikhroli Railway Station is a link between Mumbai`s eastern and western suburbs.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday announced significant progress in the construction of two major infrastructure projects - the Carnac and Vikhroli flyovers - both of which are expected to considerably ease traffic movement in the city.
The Carnac flyover, located near the Masjid Bunder Railway Station, connects to the P D'Mello Road, while the Vikhroli flyover near the Vikhroli Railway Station is a link between Mumbai's eastern and western suburbs. Both the projects are now in their final stages of development, the BMC stated. The Mumbai civic body, in coordination with the traffic department, will soon announce dates for opening the two flyovers to vehicular traffic.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar has been closely monitoring the construction timeline and coordinated with the BMC's bridges department to accelerate the pace of work in recent days.
During a site visit to the Carnac Bridge on Thursday night, Bangar expressed satisfaction with the progress of project.
The Carnac Bridge's reconstruction was undertaken after it was declared unsafe by Central Railway. The structure, which helps in maintaining critical east-west connectivity in the Masjid Bunder area, measures 70 metres within the railway limits, with an additional 155 metres on the eastern side (P D'Mello Road) and 255 metres on the western side (Mohammed Ali Road).
According to BMC, the solid approaches on both ends of the Carnac Bridge have been completed. The deck slab on the western side is ready, and 40 of the 80 metres on the eastern side have also been completed and are currently undergoing curing. The remaining 40 metres are being built using early-strength concrete to ensure curing is completed by June 5. Anti-crash barriers are being installed within the railway portion, and finishing touches such as painting, signage, lighting poles, thermoplastic road markings, and cat's eyes are scheduled to be completed by June 10.
A load test to assess the strength and stability of the bridge will be conducted once all works are completed and safety clearances are in place.
Bangar also visited the Vikhroli flyover site on Friday. The flyover, which crosses the Central Railway line at Vikhroli, is expected to significantly improve east-west connectivity, linking Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road in the west with the Eastern Express Highway in the east. Once operational, the flyover is projected to cut commuting time by approximately 30 minutes.
While the eastern side of the Vikhroli flyover has been fully completed, work is ongoing on the mastic asphalt layer on the western side.
Installation of anti-crash and noise barriers on both sides is nearing completion, and electrical pole installation and painting works are in progress. A concrete embankment has been added to the steep gradient at the LBS Road-end to prevent accidents caused by speeding vehicles entering a low-lying area. Curing of this concrete base is expected to conclude by May 30.
The Mumbai civic body aims to complete all the remaining work on the Vikhroli flyover by May 31.
Bangar expressed confidence that both projects would be completed on schedule and open to the public shortly thereafter, providing major relief to Mumbai's commuters.
