The much-anticipated extension of the Mrinaltai Gore flyover at Goregaon (West), connecting Ram Mandir Marg and Relief Road, was officially inaugurated by Mayor Ritu Tawde on Saturday morning and opened to traffic by evening. The 750-metre-long extension is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in Goregaon, particularly on Swami Vivekanand Marg and adjoining areas.
Reduced Travel Time
Mayor Tawde announced that the flyover extension would cut travel time from the earlier 45 minutes to just 10 minutes, providing substantial relief to commuters. The project, which began in March 2019, was originally slated for completion within 24 months but faced multiple delays due to various challenges.
Political Reactions and Quality Concerns
BJP MLA Ameet Satam urged the administration to ensure no further delays in infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray criticized the road surface quality on social media platform X. Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad also expressed concerns, writing: "Why is there patchwork already on a newly laid road? This whole stretch looks so badly done. It might develop craters with just one rainfall."
Technical Details and Challenges
As part of the extension, the existing bridge over the Walbhat River was demolished and reconstructed. The project also included the integration of the extension with the existing Mrunaltai Gore Railway Flyover, involving the improvement of a 450-metre-long approach road with four lanes. The total length of the extended bridge is 750 metres, with a width of 15.50 metres.
The civic administration noted difficulties in obtaining police traffic permissions due to the dense population, extremely busy junctions, and high traffic density. In response to local residents' requests, the design of the flyover's landing on the main road was modified according to the General Arrangement Drawing (GAD), which included changes in alignment and length. The alignment of the flyover passes over the Walbhat River and the Oshiwara River.
Future Commitments
Mayor Tawde emphasized that care should be taken to avoid delays in future projects. Even if delays occur, she stressed that projects must be completed within the fixed cost. The extension is expected to provide long-term relief to commuters in the western suburbs of Mumbai.
