Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar directed that the design of the bridge undergo independent technical verification by IIT-Bombay experts to ensure safety and smooth traffic movement once the structure becomes operational
Pic/BMC
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will seek assistance from experts at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to verify the design of the proposed Bhandup railway overbridge (ROB), particularly focusing on a sharp turn in its alignment. The decision was taken after civic officials reviewed the progress of the infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity between Bhandup East and Bhandup West.
During an inspection of the site on Friday, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar directed that the design of the bridge undergo independent technical verification by IIT-Bombay experts to ensure safety and smooth traffic movement once the structure becomes operational.
IIT-B experts to review sharp turn in bridge alignment
According to civic officials, the proposed overbridge includes a sharp turn at the point where the structure descends onto Veer Savarkar Road before connecting with the east–west road alignment.
Although the design has been prepared according to established engineering standards, Bangar instructed that it be independently reviewed by specialists from IIT-Bombay to eliminate any potential safety concerns.
In addition to the design review, he also directed officials to conduct a comprehensive traffic simulation study. The study will analyse projected traffic flow and help determine whether any design modifications are required to ensure safe and efficient vehicular movement after the bridge opens.
Project to improve east–west connectivity in Bhandup
The proposed 530-metre-long railway overbridge is expected to significantly improve connectivity between the eastern and western parts of Bhandup, which currently lack a direct road link across the railway tracks.
Once completed, the bridge will connect Veer Savarkar Road with Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road, providing commuters with a faster route between the two sides of the suburb.
At present, motorists travelling between Bhandup East and Bhandup West often have to take a detour of nearly five kilometres, resulting in longer travel times and traffic congestion. The new bridge is expected to reduce travel time considerably while easing pressure on major roads in the area.
Project expected to ease traffic congestion
Civic officials said the bridge will also help reduce traffic load on nearby routes, particularly the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and surrounding arterial roads.
Bangar also emphasised the need to ensure pedestrian safety and accessibility. He directed project engineers to incorporate accessible footpaths on the bridge to facilitate safe movement for pedestrians, railway commuters and local residents.
Construction progress and timeline
The BMC issued the work order for the project in October 2023, while actual construction work began in 2024. According to officials, around 30 per cent of the construction work has been completed so far.
The bridge will pass over the railway tracks near Bhandup railway station and will consist of 14 spans, including sections on both sides of the railway line and two spans crossing the tracks.
The road width will be 11.5 metres within municipal limits and 15.6 metres across the railway section.
On the western side of the project, piling and pile cap work for the pillars has been completed and girders have already been installed between the initial spans. On the eastern side, piling work for some pillars has also been completed.
Steel girders for the railway section are currently being fabricated at a facility in Ambala, officials said.
Land acquisition and utility shifting underway
Bangar also reviewed issues related to land acquisition and infrastructure relocation linked to the project.
The civic body’s Development Planning Department will handle the acquisition of salt pan land required for the 27.45-metre road alignment. Meanwhile, the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department is working on shifting major water pipelines of 600 mm and 900 mm diameter that currently obstruct the foundation area on the eastern side.
The civic official instructed departments involved in the project to ensure that the work progresses smoothly and that the bridge is completed and opened for traffic by January 31, 2027, as planned.
Once operational, the Bhandup railway overbridge is expected to reduce congestion, cut travel time and improve connectivity across the eastern suburb, benefiting thousands of daily commuters.
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