Mumbai’s road network gets a long-awaited upgrade as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) prepares to inaugurate the reconstructed Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge this Sunday evening. Starting Monday, the bridge will finally reopen to vehicular traffic in both directions—more than two years after it was fully shut for redevelopment.
This crucial link, connecting the eastern and western parts of Andheri, is expected to significantly decongest roads and enhance access to areas such as Juhu and the Western Express Highway. For over a year, only the eastbound flank of the bridge was operational, causing regular bottlenecks. The opening of the second arm now restores the original one-way traffic system and triples road capacity.
Key figures including Mumbai suburbs’ guardian minister Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Skill and Innovation Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, and local MLAs will attend the inauguration, along with BMC’s top brass. The opening marks the completion of the project’s second phase, which had originally been scheduled for late 2024 but faced several delays.
The delay stemmed from an engineering snag. After the westbound arm opened briefly in 2023, users noticed a misalignment with the CD Barfiwala Flyover. The BMC attributed this issue to elevation changes required by Indian Railways, as the bridge passes over train tracks. Structural institutions like VJTI and IIT later validated a workaround involving the elevation of connecting spans. Partial integration of the bridge and flyover was achieved by July that year.
Dhaval Shah of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association welcomed the reopening, stating it would cut travel time by up to 15 minutes. He noted that returning to the original one-way system would reduce signal delays and relieve pressure on alternative routes like the Andheri subway.
However, he also flagged lingering safety concerns. Narrow footpaths and relatively low crash barriers, he said, could make pedestrian use unsafe. “It’s a relief for commuters, but there’s still work needed to make it safe for all,” he observed.
The Gokhale Bridge has a long legacy—it was first built in the 1960s and remained a vital connector until a structural failure in 2018 prompted a full safety audit. By November 2022, the bridge was shut for complete reconstruction. Built at a cost of ₹75 crore, the new structure now stands 90 metres long and 13.5 metres wide.