Kamal Ghorui
MUMBAI: A new flyover in Mira-Bhayander has triggered public scrutiny after a viral social media post flagged what appeared to be an abrupt reduction from four lanes to two. Responding to the criticism, MMRDA denied any design flaw, maintaining that the lane transition is a planned engineering decision.The row erupted after a post by the Gems of Mira Bhayander account on X questioned whether the double-decker flyover – part of the Metro Line 9 project – could worsen congestion instead of easing it. The post said the four-lane structure “suddenly narrows” into two lanes. MMRDA maintained the flyover’s configuration is governed by right-of-way constraints and long-term expansion plans. Officials said it has been designed with two lanes towards Bhayander (E), while provision has been kept for 2 more lanes towards Bhayander (W).The MMRDA has defended itself against criticism over the Mira-Bhayander flyover, saying it was narrowed down to two lanes from four as part of a future extension across the Western Railway line.
Social activist Anjali Damania rejected the explanation, calling the design unsafe. “The bridge is an invitation to accidents. In Sept 2022, Cyrus Mistry died in a car accident due to faulty bridge design. MMRDA is repeating the mistake and is not ready to admit it. How many lives are we going to put at risk?” she said.Advocate Krishna Gupta also raised concerns over execution and accountability. “MMRDA is playing with the lives of common people. The contractor, J Kumar Infraprojects, was earlier blacklisted by BMC, yet continues to receive major infrastructure contracts. In the past, two double-decker bridges executed by the same contractor developed potholes within a year of inauguration, raising serious questions about quality control and oversight,” he said.MMRDA officials said the Metro Line 9 double-decker corridor includes multiple viaduct stretches at different stages of completion. The controversy is centred on the 1.5-km Deepak Hospital-Phatak Road stretch in Bhayander (East), where the lane drop has drawn criticism. Other sections of the double-decker viaduct, including the 1.1-km SK Stone Circle-Shivar Garden stretch and the 754-metre Kashigaon Metro Station-Saibaba Hospital stretch, have already been opened to traffic.MMRDA said the structure has been designed primarily for traffic dispersal and congestion reduction, and includes safety features such as signage, rumble strips and crash barriers, with inputs from traffic police being incorporated before commissioning. Provision has also been kept for future widening of the flyover, subject to approvals and coordination with the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation.Taking a dig at the state govt, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray posted on X, “Very true. People must not make fun of MMRDA and the team that designed this masterpiece. Next year, another MoU on teaching this design to other countries. The bridge will be complete by the timeline of everything else that was promised -2047. “What stupidity can lead to this spurt in such horrid designs – the 2 lanes, reducing from 4 suddenly and the MMRDA defending this stupid, if not corrupt, practice. At least could have designed it better to smoothen the transition into 2 lanes? Any such reduction of lanes is going to create chaos and traffic anyway! Guess the minister in charge of MMRDA.”
