MUMBAI: A brand new flyover in Mira-Bhayander has triggered public scrutiny after a viral social media publish flagged what gave the impression to be an abrupt discount from 4 lanes to 2. Responding to the criticism, MMRDA denied any design flaw, sustaining that the lane transition is a deliberate engineering resolution.The row erupted after a publish by the Gems of Mira Bhayander account on X questioned whether or not the double-decker flyover – a part of the Metro Line 9 mission – may worsen congestion as an alternative of easing it. The publish mentioned the four-lane construction “all of a sudden narrows” into two lanes. MMRDA maintained the flyover’s configuration is ruled by right-of-way constraints and long-term enlargement plans. Officers mentioned it has been designed with two lanes in the direction of Bhayander (E), whereas provision has been saved for two extra lanes in the direction of Bhayander (W).The MMRDA has defended itself towards criticism over the Mira-Bhayander flyover, saying it was narrowed down to 2 lanes from 4 as a part of a future extension throughout the Western Railway line.
Social activist Anjali Damania rejected the reason, calling the design unsafe. “The bridge is an invite to accidents. In Sept 2022, Cyrus Mistry died in a automotive accident on account of defective bridge design. MMRDA is repeating the error and isn’t able to admit it. What number of lives are we going to place in danger?” she mentioned.Advocate Krishna Gupta additionally raised considerations over execution and accountability. “MMRDA is taking part in with the lives of widespread folks. The contractor, J Kumar Infraprojects, was earlier blacklisted by BMC, but continues to obtain main infrastructure contracts. Up to now, two double-decker bridges executed by the identical contractor developed potholes inside a yr of inauguration, elevating severe questions on high quality management and oversight,” he mentioned.MMRDA officers mentioned the Metro Line 9 double-decker hall consists of a number of viaduct stretches at totally different levels of completion. The controversy is centred on the 1.5-km Deepak Hospital-Phatak Street stretch in Bhayander (East), the place the lane drop has drawn criticism. Different sections of the double-decker viaduct, together with the 1.1-km SK Stone Circle-Shivar Backyard stretch and the 754-metre Kashigaon Metro Station-Saibaba Hospital stretch, have already been opened to visitors.MMRDA mentioned the construction has been designed primarily for visitors dispersal and congestion discount, and consists of security options reminiscent of signage, rumble strips and crash boundaries, with inputs from visitors police being integrated earlier than commissioning. Provision has additionally been saved for future widening of the flyover, topic to approvals and coordination with the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Company.Taking a dig on the state govt, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Aaditya Thackeray posted on X, “Very true. Folks should not make enjoyable of MMRDA and the workforce that designed this masterpiece. Subsequent yr, one other MoU on educating this design to different nations. The bridge will probably be full by the timeline of every little thing else that was promised -2047. “What stupidity can result in this spurt in such horrid designs – the two lanes, decreasing from 4 all of a sudden and the MMRDA defending this silly, if not corrupt, follow. At the very least may have designed it higher to smoothen the transition into 2 lanes? Any such discount of lanes goes to create chaos and visitors anyway! Guess the minister in command of MMRDA.”
