As election campaigning intensifies for the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) polls, residents of Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, and Ambernath are set to face significant travel disruptions. The municipal corporation has announced a complete 20-day closure of the vital Waldhuni rail overbridge for critical structural repair work.
Bridge Shutdown: Dates and Details of the Repair Project
The Kalyan traffic department issued an official notification on Friday, confirming the shutdown schedule. The Waldhuni bridge will be closed to all vehicles from 12:01 am on December 20, 2025, until midnight on January 10, 2026. This nearly 30-year-old structure, a primary east-west connector and a key entry point into Kalyan from neighbouring areas, is undergoing its first major rehabilitation in three decades.
City Engineer Anita Pardeshi of the KDMC stated that the extensive strengthening work is essential for long-term safety. The project includes crucial repairs to expansion joints, replacement of bearings, and mastic asphalting. "We have sought 20 days for the work, but we will try to complete it earlier to minimise public inconvenience," Pardeshi assured commuters.
Anticipated Traffic Gridlock and Alternative Routes
The closure of the Waldhuni bridge is expected to trigger severe traffic congestion across the region. The bridge is a pivotal artery for daily movement between Kalyan East and West and carries a heavy influx of vehicles from Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, and Badlapur.
With this route blocked, traffic pressure will inevitably shift to other already burdened connectors. Authorities anticipate heavy snarls on two key alternative routes:
- The Shahad rail overbridge
- The Patripul rail overbridge
Both these bridges already experience significant peak-hour traffic, and the diversion is likely to exacerbate congestion, especially during the busy election period when political movement adds to regular commuter volume.
Commuters Brace for Election-Season Inconvenience
The timing of the bridge repair work coincides with the heightened activity of the KDMC election process, raising concerns about compounded disruptions. Thousands of daily commuters who rely on the Waldhuni bridge are now forced to recalibrate their travel plans for nearly three weeks.
The KDMC's move, while aimed at ensuring structural security, places the onus on commuters and authorities to manage the fallout. The success of the traffic diversion plans and the corporation's ability to potentially finish work ahead of schedule will be closely watched by the public.
Residents are advised to plan for longer travel times, explore public transport options where possible, and stay updated on real-time traffic advisories from the local police during this 20-day period.
