A site visit by midday found that only finishing work remains on the connector, which has been shut since November 2022 after being declared unsafe. The project, originally set for completion in May 2023, has faced multiple delays.

Two lanes of the bridge were partially opened in February 2024 with height restrictions, allowing only cars and two-wheelers. Buses remain banned for now.

Local residents, like Karan Jotwani from Lokhandwala, say the new connector will shave off 10–15 minutes of travel time between the Western Express Highway and JVPD. “We’ve waited long enough. Hopefully, there are no more delays,” he said.

Another commuter, Manish Sanghvi, added, “The east-west link will ease Andheri’s traffic mess. BMC must stick to the May deadline.”

Once open, the link will reconnect the westbound Barfiwala flyover arm—closed for years due to pending construction. Locals who had been using the unused stretch for parking have now been asked to clear the area.

The Gokhale Bridge project, which began in 2018, was initially divided between the BMC and Western Railway. It is now entirely under BMC’s charge and is expected to be fully completed by May 2025.

Image source:propnewstime