Andheri East Flyover Risk Averted? BMC Begins Repairs After Months Of Delay

Five months after a large concrete slab from the Jog Flyover in Andheri East fell onto a car on the Western Express Highway, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to undertake repairs. The flyover, also known as the Jog Flyover, has been declared unsafe and remains embroiled in a legal dispute, according to the Hindustan Times (HT) report.

The repair work will cost an estimated Rs 95 crore, with the BMC planning to seek reimbursement from the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA). The flyover was handed over to the BMC for maintenance in November 2022 by the MMRDA, though ownership remains with the state government's Public Works Department (PWD).

Photo Credit: PTI

According to a senior civic official, the decision to proceed with repairs was made in the interest of public safety. This reverses an earlier stand by BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, who had previously declined to carry out repairs due to the ongoing litigation.

The urgency stems from an audit report submitted in April 2023 by the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI). The report had classified the flyover as dilapidated and recommended immediate repairs. The situation worsened in July when a slab collapse narrowly missed causing a serious injury.

With the Maharashtra assembly election model code of conduct now lifted, the BMC has issued a work order for repairs. "Considering public safety, we cannot delay this any further," said the senior official in the HT report. The BMC has informed the MMRDA of its intention to seek reimbursement and has emphasised that disputes between agencies should not jeopardise commuter safety.

Previously, the MMRDA had declined to take responsibility for the repairs, citing the flyover's ownership by the PWD. Meanwhile, the PWD pointed to ongoing litigation involving multiple parties, including private firms Hiranandani Construction Pvt Ltd, Mahakali Flyover Company Ltd, and Jog Engineering Limited.

The repair work is expected to begin soon, bringing some relief to the thousands of commuters who rely on the busy Western Express Highway daily.