Mumbai News: BMC To Demolish 60 Structures For Vidyavihar Connector Flyover, Warns Delay Could Affect 2026 Deadline

Mumbai: The BMC will begin removing 60 structures on the western side of the Vidyavihar East-West connector route after the monsoon, starting in October. However, civic officials fear that if the rehabilitation of affected residents is delayed, it could jeopardise the bridge’s timely completion before the next monsoon.

Rehabilitation Critical to Timeline

To avoid setbacks, civic authorities have instructed officials to complete the rehabilitation process within the next two to three months, ensuring that the project stays on track. Meanwhile, the project has already been delayed, with the completion deadline now pushed to May 2026, a full year later than initially planned.

Flyover to Bridge East-West Gap

The BMC is constructing a two-lane flyover over the Vidyavihar railway tracks to connect Ramchandra Chemburkar Road in the east with Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road in the west at Ghatkopar.

The total length of the project is 650 meters, which includes a 100-meter main span over the railway tracks, a 220-meter approach road on the eastern side, and a 330-meter approach road on the western side. A dedicated access route from the flyover to Vidyavihar railway station platforms is also part of the project.

Infrastructure Upgrade at Railway Station

Additionally, the reconstruction of both sides railway ticket counters, station master’s office, stairways, and other facilities is being undertaken under this project. Service roads on both sides of the flyover are also included, with the Somaiya Nullah on the eastern side being reconstructed as part of the service road work.

BMC to raze 60 structures blocking Vidyavihar flyover completion

"Two massive steel girders, each approximately 100 meters long and weighing around 1,100 metric tonnes, have been installed for this flyover. In the second phase of the project, 17.5-meter-wide approach roads on both eastern and western sides will be constructed. On the western side, four pillars have been erected, but some structures are obstructing further work. These structures include residential, religious, and commercial buildings, along with a civic toilet block. Project-affected persons (PAPs) will be provided with alternative housing. However, any delay in rehabilitation could prevent the bridge from opening before the 2026 monsoon," said an official.

Abhijeet Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), held a review meeting on Tuesday at BMC headquarters to assess the current status of the Vidyavihar connector project. He directed officials to complete the rehabilitation and eviction process within the next 2–3 months.

Simultaneously, the relocation of water pipelines and sewer lines obstructing the bridge construction will also be carried out. "Following these steps, the remaining bridge work is expected to be completed within five months," said Bangar.

Project Faces Cost Escalation and Delays

The long-awaited Vidyavihar bridge project was first planned in 1991 but only gained momentum in 2016, with construction starting in 2018. Originally slated for completion by mid-2022, the timeline was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and design changes.

Mumbai: BMC's Vidyavihar bridge set to break records with launch of 99.35m girder

The project cost has also risen from an initial estimate of Rs 99.98 crore to Rs 178.93 crore. Once finished, the bridge will cut travel time between Vidyavihar East and West from over 30 minutes to just 10–15 minutes. Notably, the Vidyavihar connector features the longest girder over a railway track in the city, measuring 100 metres.