Three Bridges Open to Ease Traffic
Mumbai received three major infrastructure projects on Friday. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Sion Railway Overbridge, the Vidyavihar Bridge and the first phase of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) flyover through video conferencing at 1 pm.
The bridges are expected to bring major relief from traffic jams. But the projects were surrounded by controversy in the days before the opening.
Sion Bridge: Locals Lose Patience
The Sion Bridge became the centre of a major dispute. Construction was complete, but critics alleged that the administration kept it shut, waiting for a grand VIP-style ribbon-cutting. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had already missed four deadlines, the last one being October 15. Meanwhile, the area faced traffic jams every day.
Frustrated, locals led by Congress workers arrived with a crane to remove the barricades and open the bridge by force. Police stopped them.
Things heated up when Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad and MLA Jyoti Gaikwad arrived. They sharply scolded BMC officials and, without waiting for any VIP, held a symbolic inauguration by breaking a coconut.
The 112-year-old bridge had been closed in August 2024 and was completely rebuilt. Its opening was reportedly delayed because authorities were waiting for an “auspicious time” suitable for VIPs.
A Fight Over Names and Music
Another row broke out over the Vidyavihar East-West bridge. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) wanted to name it “Padmashri Nana Patekar Setu” and even put up a hoarding with that name. Local BJP MLA Parag Shah and other leaders suggested naming it after Captain Smit Machhar, the pilot who stopped the flydubai hijacking.
A cultural dispute also appeared at the Sion event. Local MLA Tamil Selvan brought South Indian musicians to the venue. Former Mayor and Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) leader Kishori Pednekar objected, asking where Maharashtra’s traditional tutari (ceremonial horn) was.
CM Explains the Vision
Speaking at the virtual ceremony, Fadnavis said the three projects will help reduce congestion. He stressed that East-West connectivity is crucial for Mumbai and is getting special attention. He said the government’s goal is for people to reach any part of the city within 59 minutes, and that easing traffic and improving “ease of living” remain top priorities.
Key Features of the New Bridges
Sion Bridge: Finished four months before its February 2027 deadline, it connects Dharavi and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). Its completion has also cleared obstacles for the new 5th and 6th railway lines between CSMT and Kurla.
Vidyavihar Bridge: This 650-metre bridge over Vidyavihar station links LBS Marg in the west with Ramchandra Chemburkar Marg in the east. It will cut travel time from 30 minutes to just 10.
GMLR Phase 1: A 1.26-km, 6-lane flyover runs from General AK Vaidya Marg in Goregaon East to Santosh Nagar. It should ease the heavy jams near Dindoshi and the Ratnagiri Hotel junction.
