Mumbai: A long-pending plan to construct a flyover connecting Mahim and Bandra East to ease chronic traffic congestion on the Western Express Highway has again been revived, with the BMC issuing a fresh tender for the project. The proposed flyover, estimated to cost Rs 220.17 crore, has remained stuck on paper for nearly three years now.The BMC’s bridges department had decided to build the flyover from Fishermen Colony on Senapati Bapat Marg in Mahim to Bandra East, close to the Kalanagar flyover, to decongest one of the city’s worst traffic bottlenecks. However, tenders floated since 2022 failed to attract bidders within the stipulated deadlines. Traffic congestion on the WEH has only worsened in recent years due to a sharp rise in the number of vehicles. During peak hours, long queues often stretch from the Mithi River area in Bandra East up to Senapati Bapat Marg in Mahim, with the ripple effect felt as far as Dadar, Khar and Santacruz say motorists. “The stretch between Bandra East and Mahim is a nightmare during peak hours. If this flyover actually comes up, it could save us at least 20-30 minutes every day,” said a daily commuter who drives from Santacruz to south Mumbai.According to civic officials, the proposed flyover will start near the Kalanagar Flyover, cross the Mithi River and connect to Senapati Bapat Marg. Once completed, it is expected to provide faster access for motorists travelling between the suburbs and south Mumbai, while also offering smoother connectivity to S V Road, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the WEH. The project was first tendered in the year 2022, but the process was scrapped due to technical issues. A second attempt in July 2023 also failed after no bids were received before the deadline. The BMC has now initiated the tender process for the third time.Civic officials said the flyover will be around 1 to 1.5 km long and will complement existing infrastructure in the area, including the Chunabhatti-BKC flyover and the old Kalanagar flyover.
