MMRDA set for engineering milestone: Four layers of transport infra come together in Vikhroli

This engineering feat is crucial for Phase II of Metro Line-4, which will connect Cadbury Junction (Thane) to Gandhi Nagar, and is expected to be operational by December 2026. PIC/MMRDA

A major engineering milestone is underway at Gandhi Nagar junction in Vikhroli, where four layers of transport infrastructure are coming together - the Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road, the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) flyover, Mumbai Metro Line-6 (Swami Samarth Nagar to Vikhroli), and now Mumbai Metro Line-4 (Wadala to Kasarvadavali).

In a challenging high-precision operation, engineers have begun installing a massive 62.7-metre-long steel span, weighing around 540 metric tonnes, at a height of 24 metres over the busy JVLR-LBS junction - while also managing live traffic on both sides.

Taking into consideration the extremely limited working space for cranes and heavy traffic movement on the ground, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has planned the installation in three phases - a 30-metre launch over JVLR and below Metro Line-6, followed by a 17-metre section towards Vikhroli and a 15-metre section towards Mulund.

This engineering feat is crucial for Phase II of Metro Line-4, which will connect Cadbury Junction (Thane) to Gandhi Nagar, and is expected to be operational by December 2026. Once completed, Metro Line-4 will offer seamless connectivity from Gaimukh on Ghodbunder Road through Thane, Mulund, and Kanjurmarg, thereby reducing travel time significantly for thousands of commuters across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

'Andheri's Gokhale Bridge construction almost complete; Vikhroli flyover nearing completion'

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday said that the construction of the Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge in Mumbai's Andheri was almost complete and the work of Vikhroli flyover was nearing completion.

The Gokhale Bridge connects Andheri East and West and is a vital link for daily commuters.

The civic body said that around 95 per cent of the Vikhroli Railway Station flyover has also been completed.

Both projects are progressing on schedule, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar stated after an inspection of the ongoing works of the two bridges.

An official statement, issued by the BMC, said that Bangar visited the Gokhale Bridge on Friday to review its progress and he confirmed that the main structure is 100 per cent complete, and all remaining work will be finished by April 30, 2025. This includes work within the railway limits, access ramps on both sides, and the connector to the C.D. Barfiwala Bridge.

It said that the final touches such as crash barriers, noise barriers, railings, painting, thermoplastic marking, cat eyes, electric poles, and signage are being completed quickly.