Mumbai: Gokhale bridge reopening soon, but Barfiwala alignment poses new challenge

Hopes for reduced traffic, but Barfiwala’s delayed alignment adds uncertainty to reopening

Finally, after 15 months, and extending deadlines at least six times, one side of the Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge will be completed by Saturday. The bridge may open on Monday for the general public. However, residents have been raising questions over the unfinished work of alignment of the Barfiwala bridge for the last two years.

Gokhale bridge has been in the limelight since its closure in November 2022. Residents of Andheri, Versova, and Vile Parle have to take a long route either from the Andheri subway or the Captain Vinayak Gore flyover in Vile Parle. After taking several site visits and many letters to the BMC, residents will finally get their half bridge back.

An official with the BMC Bridges Department said, “The work of two lanes is almost complete. The work of marking lanes and installing signages will be completed by Saturday.” Amit Satam, local MLA said, “The bridge will mostly open in the next week. We have been able to complete the bridge in just 15 months after it was closed. It's the fastest executed project by the BMC knowing its complexities.”

Dhaval Shah, founder of Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association said, “The west side approach road of the Gokhale bridge has been ready for over two years. Yet, no work is progressing to match the level of the Barfiwala bridge to the Gokhale bridge. More than 90 per cent of vehicles can come from the Barfiwala bridge and it will significantly reduce traffic on S V road. But now the cars will come from SV Ronly, which will congest the already burdened road.”

BMC is consulting with experts on how to align the Barfiwala bridge with the Gokhale bridge which has at least a four-and-a-half-feet height difference. Viren Shah, a resident said, “It has been a harrowing experience for the residents and commuters to endure the inconvenience for the last four years.” The BMC had announced that the girders of the second side will come in February and the remaining two lanes will be completed by May 2024. But the girders of second spans haven't arrived yet.  
 
Nov 2022
Date when Gokhale bridge closed

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