A newly-constructed flyover in Mira-Bhayandar narrows from four lanes to two, prompting criticism over safety and planning. MMRDA asserts this design was intentional due to space constraints.
India
-Krishna Kripa
A
newly
built
flyover
in
Mira-Bhayandar,
near
Mumbai,
has
sparked
criticism
due
to
its
design,
which
narrows
from
four
lanes
to
two.
Concerns
have
been
raised
about
planning,
traffic
flow,
and
commuter
safety.
The
Mumbai
Metropolitan
Region
Development
Authority
(MMRDA)
stated
that
this
transition
is
intentional
and
not
a
design
flaw.
image
A
newly-constructed
flyover
in
Mira-Bhayandar
narrows
from
four
lanes
to
two,
prompting
criticism
over
safety
and
planning.
MMRDA
asserts
this
design
was
intentional
due
to
space
constraints.
After
a
video
of
the
flyover
went
viral
on
social
media,
many
users
mocked
the
design
and
expressed
concerns
about
potential
traffic
jams
or
accidents.
The
MMRDA
explained
that
the
narrowing
was
due
to
space
constraints.
They
are
responsible
for
planning
and
developing
the
Mumbai
metropolitan
region
and
constructed
this
double-decker
flyover
in
Bhayandar.
Design
Criticism
and
Social
Media
Reaction
The
flyover’s
design
has
drawn
comparisons
to
a
problematic
Rail
Over
Bridge
in
Bhopal,
which
had
a
sharp
90-degree
turn.
This
led
to
the
suspension
of
seven
engineers
by
the
Madhya
Pradesh
government.
A
user
on
X
shared
the
video
of
the
Bhayandar
flyover,
commenting
on
the
sudden
lane
reduction
as
an
“engineering
marvel.”
The
Congress
party’s
X
handle
criticised
the
BJP
governments,
stating
that
such
“life-threatening
miracles” have
become
common
under
their
rule.
The
MMRDA
clarified
that
the
transition
from
four
lanes
to
two
was
planned
with
future
expansions
in
mind.
Two
lanes
are
intended
for
Bhayandar
East,
while
two
additional
lanes
will
connect
to
Bhayandar
West
in
the
future.
Political
Reactions
and
Future
Plans
Shiv
Sena
UBT
leader
Aaditya
Thackeray
criticised
the
MMRDA’s
defence
of
the
design.
He
sarcastically
suggested
that
this
“masterpiece”
might
be
taught
to
other
countries
by
next
year.
Thackeray
questioned
how
such
designs
get
approved
and
highlighted
potential
chaos
from
lane
reductions.
YouTuber
Pushpendra
Singh
also
expressed
disbelief
at
the
sudden
narrowing
of
lanes
without
proper
merging
ramps.
He
compared
it
to
another
problematic
road
design
in
Bhopal.
Writer
Rakesh
Krishnan
Simha
mentioned
a
similar
road
design
that
led
to
former
TATA
chairman
Cyrus
Mistry’s
death.
MMRDA’s
Justification
and
Future
Expansion
The
MMRDA
stated
that
the
outer
lanes
are
part
of
future
plans
for
extending
towards
Bhayandar
West
across
the
Western
Railway
line.
They
emphasised
that
the
current
configuration
is
temporary
and
aligns
with
future
planning
requirements.
The
authority
maintained
that
the
transition
does
not
occur
abruptly
but
follows
a
planned
alignment.
However,
critics
argue
that
any
reduction
in
lanes
could
lead
to
traffic
chaos
regardless
of
future
plans.
This
controversy
highlights
ongoing
concerns
about
infrastructure
planning
and
safety
in
rapidly
growing
urban
areas
like
Mumbai.
As
discussions
continue,
authorities
may
need
to
reassess
their
approach
to
ensure
safer
and
more
efficient
designs
for
commuters.
With
inputs
from
PTI
