Mumbai's traffic relief plan: BMC fixes deadlines for Vidyavihar and Mankhurd flyovers; check dates here

Additional civic commissioner Abhijit Bangar directed the project authorities to complete both arms of the Mankhurd-Maharashtra Nagar flyover project by May 31, 2027. PIC/BMC

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set a target of August 31, 2026 for completing the Vidyavihar flyover and May 31, 2027 for completing both arms of the Mankhurd-Maharashtra Nagar flyover project, with Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar directing officials to expedite work by deploying additional manpower and machinery.

Bangar reviewed the progress of both projects during site visits on Saturday and instructed officials and contractors to ensure that the projects are completed within the stipulated timelines while strictly adhering to safety norms at the construction sites.

The Mankhurd-Maharashtra Nagar flyover project is aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion at the Mankhurd-Maharashtra Nagar T-junction, a major bottleneck on the Sion-Panvel Highway. The junction witnesses heavy traffic during peak hours, affecting commuters travelling between Mumbai and Vashi as well as vehicles moving between Ghatkopar and Mankhurd.

To address the congestion, the BMC is constructing two dedicated flyover arms. Arm 1 will provide a direct two-lane, 1,420-metre-long and 8.5-metre-wide elevated link from the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR) flyover towards Vashi. Arm 2 will comprise a separate second-level, two-lane flyover measuring 1,951 metres in length and 8.5 metres in width, enabling vehicles from Vashi to merge directly onto the existing GMLR flyover towards Ghatkopar.

Bangar directed the project authorities to complete both arms by May 31, 2027, and emphasised that adequate safety measures must be implemented to protect workers and the public throughout the construction period. He also reviewed the progress of the ongoing utility shifting works involving power transmission lines of Mahavitaran and Tata Power.

The civic body said work on the Mankhurd project commenced on October 15, 2024, and around 33 per cent of the project has been completed so far, with the remaining work progressing as per schedule.

Traffic planning begins as Vidyavihar flyover nears completion

Later, Bangar inspected the Vidyavihar flyover project, where approximately 80 per cent of the construction has been completed. He directed officials to ensure that the flyover is ready by August 31, 2026.

The Vidyavihar flyover will connect Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Marg with Ramchandra Chemburkar Marg. The two-lane project has a total length of 650 metres, including a 100-metre bridge over the railway tracks, a 220-metre eastern approach road and a 330-metre western approach road.

The project also includes pedestrian access from the flyover to the foot overbridges at Vidyavihar railway station, reconstruction of ticket booking offices, the station master's office and staircases on both sides of the station, besides a new pedestrian connection within the railway premises.

Bangar directed officials of the BMC's N Ward to coordinate with the traffic police and the garden department to prepare a comprehensive traffic management plan for the approach roads on both the eastern and western sides of the flyover. He also instructed them to identify and address potential obstructions, including utilities, footpaths, trees and structures, to ensure smooth traffic movement once the flyover is commissioned.

Chief Engineer (Bridges) Rajesh Mule and other civic officials were present during the inspection.