Mumbai’s Gokhale Bridge-Barfiwala flyover Reopened

New Delhi: In a significant development aimed at easing traffic congestion, the newly constructed lane on the C. D. Barfiwala Flyover, linking Juhu to Andheri, has been opened to the public today at 5 pm. This comes after the successful completion of ancillary works and comprehensive traffic management tests.

Initially opened briefly to motorists on July 1, the flyover was swiftly closed down within half an hour due to an unexpected incident involving the removal of plastic barricades, according to BMC officials. 

The incident prompted authorities to take precautionary measures, halting traffic movement immediately. Senior traffic police officers cited ongoing construction work and safety concerns as reasons for the abrupt closure, reiterating the need for stringent safety protocols before reopening.

The lane connects seamlessly to the height of the Gopalkrishna Gokhale Bridge, marking a crucial expansion in Mumbai's infrastructure to accommodate increasing vehicular traffic in the bustling western suburbs.

Key Highlights of the Development:

Vehicle Restrictions: Initially, the lane will only accommodate light vehicles, with heavy vehicles restricted from accessing the bridge. This measure is intended to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and to prevent undue strain on the newly opened infrastructure.

Official Inspection: Following the opening, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), Shri. Abhijit Bangar, personally visited the site to oversee operations and review the traffic situation. His presence underscores the municipal corporation's commitment to ensuring the efficacy and safety of the new lane.

Additional municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar expressed concern over the barricade removal incident, pledging to investigate the matter alongside the deputy municipal commissioner. Despite these setbacks, officials had affirmed plans to officially open the Barfiwala flyover connector on July 4 at 5 PM. 

This decision is bolstered by a positive structural safety report from VJTI and ensures the flyover will accommodate only light vehicles initially, aligning with current traffic permissions on the partially opened Gokhale bridge.

The Barfiwala flyover's journey has been marred by challenges, notably stemming from alignment issues with the Gokhale bridge arm, which drew criticism earlier this year upon its partial opening. Residents had initially welcomed the flyover's temporary reopening, albeit briefly, before encountering the recent barricade incident that cast doubts on safety and operational readiness.