Andheri’s Gokhale Bridge Reopens, Easing Mumbai’s Traffic Woes

Mumbai: The Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge in Andheri, a critical east-west link, is set to fully reopen to traffic on Sunday evening, May 11, 2025, after being closed for over two years due to structural concerns, as confirmed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The bridge, which partially collapsed in July 2018, causing two fatalities and three injuries, has been under reconstruction since November 2022, with limited operations resuming on February 26, 2024.

The BMC announced that the bridge, spanning 510 meters with a 90-meter railway section, will initially allow only light motor vehicles following its inauguration. Heavy vehicles will be permitted later, once height barricades are removed. The project, costing approximately ₹160 crore, faced challenges, including a six-foot height mismatch between the new bridge and the old C D Barfiwala connector, which was resolved before the reopening.

Local residents expressed relief at the bridge’s full restoration. One Andheri East commuter told mid-day, “The partial opening helped, but peak-hour bottlenecks at the bridge’s western exit were a problem. Full access should ease congestion significantly.” The reopening is expected to reduce traffic on alternate routes, such as the Andheri subway, and improve connectivity between the Western Express Highway and areas like Juhu.

The bridge’s closure had disrupted public transport, with four BEST bus routes diverted in 2022. Even after the first phase of reopening in 2024, these routes remained suspended due to restrictions on heavy vehicles. The BMC’s efforts to complete the project before the Mumbai monsoon season have been praised, though earlier delays, including late girder deliveries from Ambala, pushed back the timeline.
Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar will lead the inauguration ceremony at 5 p.m. on Sunday, joined by officials and local leaders. Workers and artists from the NGO Project Mumbai are adding final touches to the bridge, ensuring it is ready for public use.