Mumbai: The long-awaited Gokhale Bridge in Andheri, one of Mumbai’s critical east-west arterial connectors, is now on the brink of full reopening. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is racing to open the bridge to vehicular traffic within the next couple of days, with a strong possibility of an official inauguration on May 9. This date has been chosen to coincide with the birth anniversary of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a renowned social reformer and freedom fighter, after whom the bridge is named.
Details On Bridge's Overall Progress
According to a report by The Times of India, senior BMC officials have confirmed that all major structural work is complete and final touches are underway. The civic body is keen to throw open the bridge before the onset of monsoon, a period when traffic congestion in Andheri worsens significantly due to waterlogging and limited connectivity. The reopening is expected to bring major relief to thousands of daily commuters in the western suburbs who have faced long detours and traffic snarls since the bridge’s closure.
The Gokhale Bridge has been under reconstruction for several years, during which commuters endured widespread inconvenience. The closure also led to the suspension of multiple BEST bus routes that previously passed over the bridge. In light of the imminent reopening, the Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens' Association (LOCA) has written to the BEST undertaking, urging them to reinstate the suspended routes to restore smooth public transportation in the area.
Partial Inauguration In Feb 2024
The bridge’s first arm had been partially opened on February 26, 2024. However, due to a nearly six-foot gap between the newly constructed arm and the existing C D Barfiwala Flyover, the connection remained non-operational. This created a bottleneck for vehicles and further delayed the bridge’s full functionality. To resolve the issue, BMC’s bridges department, with support from structural engineering experts from IIT-Bombay and VJTI, began alignment work on April 14, 2024.
Now, with the second phase of construction aligned seamlessly with the Barfiwala Flyover, full connectivity is finally achievable. The opening of the completed bridge is expected to improve traffic flow in Andheri East and West, ease the burden on alternative routes like Milan and Andheri subways and cut travel time for motorists and public transport users alike.
