Millat Nagar-Bhagat Singh Nagar Bridge Project Delayed: Over 2,000 Families To Be Relocated

A crucial bridge project linking Millat Nagar in Andheri West and Bhagat Singh Nagar in Goregaon West has been stalled for two years. The delay is primarily due to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) waiting for final approval from the Bombay High Court. The key issue is the relocation of 2,500 families in Bhagat Singh Nagar, where the new road will connect, according to the Midday report.

BMC records indicate that a 500-metre cable-stayed bridge over the Oshiwara Creek was approved in late 2022. The six-lane bridge, estimated to cost Rs 418.35 crore, aims to ease traffic congestion on New Link Road. The bridge will provide an alternative route for motorists travelling from Andheri Lokhandwala, starting at Masjid Al Salam Chowk in Millat Nagar and ending at Bhagat Singh Nagar. The project is expected to take four years to complete once construction begins.

Despite receiving all required environmental clearances, the BMC is still waiting for final approval from the court. Officials have stated that the case will be heard soon. However, BMC has pointed out that the northern part of Bhagat Singh Nagar is blocked by 450 structures on the road and about 1,600 structures in the area where the new road is planned.

Abhijit Bangar, additional municipal commissioner, confirmed in the Midday report that shanties are obstructing the construction site, and work on the bridge has not yet commenced. This road was proposed in both the 1991 and 2034 Development Plans. Additionally, the BMC aims to develop the bridge as a tourist attraction, similar to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, with plans to install LED lights.

Civic activists are calling for an inquiry into the delay. Anil Galgali, an activist, pointed out in the report that before any project is approved, obstacles such as the rehabilitation of over two thousand huts must be addressed. He argued that such delays not only increase project costs but also reflect poor planning that warrants investigation.

Residents are growing increasingly concerned about the need for the bridge. Dhaval Shah, a resident of Andheri West, emphasised that the existing bridge on the Link Road is old and could be closed for repairs at any time. He believes the new bridge is urgently needed to relieve congestion. "The new bridge will help reduce traffic jams, so the work should be completed as soon as possible," Shah said in the Midday report.

Sanjay Prashar, another local resident, noted that traffic on Link Roads has been steadily increasing year after year. "Even after the Metro opened, there has been no reduction in commuters, and no additional lanes have been added. We need this bridge to reduce congestion and travel time," Prashar added in the report.

As of now, over 2,000 families must be rehabilitated before construction can proceed.