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Work on the two main arms began in January 2025, after tendering was completed in September 2024.
A third arm is also in the pipeline to connect GMLR directly to Maharashtra Nagar. (Photo: Liberty Wire)
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun constructing two new flyover arms to improve the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR) flyover.
These arms will connect directly to the Sion-Panvel Highway and help ease the notorious traffic near the Maharashtra Nagar junction in Govandi. The project comes with a hefty price tag of Rs 1,051 crore, as per Hindustan Times.
What’s Being Built?
The new construction includes:
- Two flyover arms connecting GMLR to the Sion-Panvel Highway, skipping the signal at Maharashtra Nagar.
- A third arm is in the planning stage, which will link GMLR directly to Maharashtra Nagar, crossing the Harbour Railway line. This needs a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Central Railway before moving forward.
- Once the NOC is approved, the BMC will float a tender to begin work. This arm will be 620 metres long and stand 8.5 metres tall.
Once completed, vehicles from Vashi heading to the Eastern Express Highway (EEH), and vice versa, will no longer need to wait at the signal, cutting travel time significantly.
Construction Timeline and Permissions
Work on the two main arms began in January 2025, after tendering was completed in September 2024. However, construction work alongside the Sion-Panvel Highway is on hold due to delays in obtaining required permissions.
These include NOCs from the Public Works Department, Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, and the Mangroves Department, since parts of the bridge pass through wetlands and mangrove zones.
Additionally, land acquisition is ongoing due to the project overlapping with the proposed metro line between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports. CIDCO, Navi Mumbai’s development authority, has stepped in to assist with land arrangements.
“Why Now?”: Public Criticises Delayed Planning
Local commuters feel the situation should have been avoided altogether with better planning.
“There’s always traffic while coming from Vashi to Ghatkopar, especially during peak hours. You easily wait 15–20 minutes at that junction,” said Rahul, a resident of Powai.
Aun Mohammed from Govandi agreed. “It’s a hot spot for accidents. The flyover is in poor condition and there are always heavy vehicles using it.”
BMC’s Response: “We Work in Phases”
In defence, a BMC official stated, “We take up such projects in phases. The original flyover was already massive — 3.25 km long with six lanes. Doing everything at once would have created chaos, especially with vehicles coming from faraway places like Pune.”
Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: ‘Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.’ This motto c…Read More
Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: ‘Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.’ This motto c… Read More
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