Mumbai’s infamous traffic congestion may soon see some relief as two key bridges in Mumbai’s suburbs are nearing completion. These vital infrastructure projects—one in Andheri and the other in Vikhroli—are set to open by the end of April and May 2025, respectively. Once operational, they are expected to significantly ease the daily travel woes of lakhs of commuters.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge in Andheri Nears Opening
One of the most anticipated infrastructure projects, the Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge in Andheri, is now fully constructed and only awaits final touches. According to officials, the bridge is 100% structurally complete, and minor pending works are expected to finish by April 30, 2025.
Once these are done and necessary approvals from the traffic police are in place, the bridge will be opened for vehicular movement. Unlike earlier expectations of a phased opening, the authorities have now confirmed that the entire bridge will be thrown open at once.
This bridge holds a unique distinction—it is now the longest bridge in India to pass over railway tracks. The Gokhale Bridge is expected to dramatically reduce congestion between the eastern and western parts of Andheri, offering a smoother east-west connectivity route. This will help countless office-goers, students, and local residents who otherwise face daily traffic snarls in the area.
Vikhroli East-West Flyover to be Ready by End of May
The second major development is the Vikhroli East-West flyover, which is almost complete with 95% of the work done. This flyover is scheduled to be finished by May 31, 2025. It will connect the busy Eastern Express Highway on the east side to LBS Marg on the west, creating a much-needed direct link that did not exist before.
This new flyover is 615 metres long and 12 metres wide. It features 19 pillars—12 on the eastern side and 7 on the western side—and is supported by 18 massive girders that were installed in phases. Once opened, this bridge will reduce the travel time between Vikhroli East and West from the current 25–30 minutes to just about 7 minutes.
This project was initially planned back in 1997 to replace an unsafe level crossing. However, it faced long delays due to issues related to land acquisition and design modifications. The work finally restarted in 2018 and is now in its final phase.
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Traffic Impact and Connectivity Boost
These two key bridges in Mumbai’s suburbs will together ease traffic pressure across several chokepoints. The Gokhale Bridge will improve access across Andheri, while the Vikhroli flyover will help vehicles bypass crowded roads and junctions. The latter will especially benefit people commuting between Powai, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, and Kanjurmarg—all densely populated and traffic-heavy areas.
The Vikhroli flyover has also been designed with safety in mind. It will feature crash barriers, noise barriers, road signage, lighting, and proper markings. Pedestrians will also benefit, as the bridge offers direct access to Vikhroli railway station platforms, improving last-mile connectivity.
While there may be some concern about bottlenecks near Vikhroli station and Tagore Nagar junctions, the authorities plan to introduce signalized crossings and possibly widen certain roads to manage traffic flow efficiently.
Part of a Larger BMC Initiative
These projects are part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s broader push to open several new bridges across Mumbai between March and May 2025. The goal is to tackle persistent congestion by unlocking better connectivity at critical points. Along with the Carnac Bridge and other under-construction flyovers, these two key bridges in Mumbai’s suburbs represent important milestones in that mission.
Final Thoughts
With the Gokhale Bridge expected to open by the end of April 2025 and the Vikhroli flyover set to follow in May, Mumbai is on the brink of witnessing significant improvements in its suburban travel infrastructure. These two key bridges in Mumbai’s suburbs not only promise to ease traffic congestion but also mark progress toward a more connected and commuter-friendly city.
