The Gokhale Bridge in Mumbai’s Andheri is nearly ready to reopen fully. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to open the bridge by May 9. This date is also the birth anniversary of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, the social reformer after whom the bridge is named.
All major construction work on the bridge is complete. BMC officials confirmed that finishing touches are now being added. The civic body is in a rush to open the bridge before the monsoon season begins. Heavy rains usually lead to traffic problems and waterlogging in Andheri.
The reopening will bring relief to thousands of daily commuters in the western suburbs. They have faced long detours and traffic jams since the bridge was closed. Several BEST bus services were also stopped during the closure.
The Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens' Association has written to the BEST undertaking. They have asked for these bus routes to be restarted.
The first part of the bridge was opened earlier, on February 26, 2024. But a gap of over six feet remained between the new arm and the C D Barfiwala Flyover. Because of this, the bridge could not be used fully. Traffic continued to suffer.
On April 14, 2024, the BMC bridges department began alignment work. Experts from IIT-Bombay and VJTI helped with the process. The second phase of the bridge is now properly aligned with the flyover.
With this final work done, the bridge will now allow full connectivity. Travel time for vehicles and buses is expected to go down. Pressure on nearby routes like the Milan and Andheri subways will also reduce. Traffic movement in both Andheri East and West is expected to improve.
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