The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to open the extension of the Mrinaltai Gore flyover on May 31. It will improve connectivity of the Western Express Highway (WEH) in Goregaon East and the Ram Mandir junction in Goregaon West. It will also reduce travel time on the stretch from around 30 minutes to nearly five minutes.
The extension measures 750 metres and has been built at a cost of INR 200.75 crore. As per reports, most of the work has been completed. The only remaining task is the power connection, which will be provided by Adani Electricity.
The original Mrinaltai Gore flyover was opened to traffic in 2016. However, work on the extension began later and started in 2019. The project experienced several delays over the years. Work was affected by the reconstruction of the Oshiwara Nalla, the shifting of utilities and modifications to the project design.
Once opened, it will provide signal-free connectivity for vehicles travelling towards the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) from Borivali, Versova and other western suburbs. Drivers will be able to bypass three major traffic signals located on SV Road.
The project involved more than just the flyover extension. It included the integration of the Mrinaltai Gore Rail Overbridge, the construction of 450-metre-long connecting arms and the replacement of the old bridge over the Walbhat Nalla. The completed structure is 15.5 metres wide and has four lanes.
The work order for the project was issued in 2018. However, construction stretched over several years due to multiple challenges. A major difficulty was carrying out foundation work along sections that passed through two busy intersections on SV Road. The project team had to obtain traffic permissions and continue construction while managing heavy vehicle movement.
More challenges came at curved portions of the alignment. Temporary structures and obstructions had to be removed before work could proceed. These locations required careful planning and close coordination on site.
The project also faced opposition from residents living near the Kabrastan area. Later, changes were made to the bridge design. Engineers also had to deal with complex construction conditions at two major water crossings. One was the Oshiwara Nalla along SV Road, and the other was the Walbhat Nalla on Ram Mandir Road.
A separate contract was awarded in May 2021 for the reconstruction of the bridge over the Oshiwara Nalla. This work was handled by another agency. The flyover extension project depended on the completion of this parallel work because the pier-top construction could only move forward after it was finished.
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