Bridge or bottleneck? Why Mira Bhayandar flyover is turning heads

Gems of Mira Bhayander highlighted the abrupt reduction of lanes on social media, drawing the public’s attention to the issue. The post specifically pointed out how the four-lane flyover suddenly narrows to two lanes, raising questions about the safety and efficiency of the design.

Officials have clarified that the lane reduction on the Mira-Bhayander flyover is a planned engineering decision, not a flaw. Currently, two lanes are operational towards Bhayander (East), while provisions have been made for two additional lanes towards Bhayander (West) in the future. The design has been structured to comply with right-of-way constraints and accommodate long-term expansion plans, ensuring the flyover can handle increased traffic volumes over time.

Public safety concerns have been raised over the abrupt lane reduction on the Mira-Bhayander flyover. Social activist Anjali Damania warned that the design could lead to accidents, citing the 2022 Cyrus Mistry incident as a cautionary example of the dangers posed by faulty bridge design.

The lane reduction is specifically observed on the 1.5-km Deepak Hospital–Phatak Road stretch in Bhayander (East). Other sections of the double-decker flyover, including the 1.1-km SK Stone Circle–Shivar Garden stretch and the 754-metre Kashigaon–Saibaba Hospital stretch, have already been opened to traffic and are functioning smoothly, highlighting that the controversy is limited to this particular segment.

The MMRDA has stated that the flyover has been designed to ease traffic congestion in the area. To ensure commuter safety, the structure includes features such as proper signage, rumble strips, and crash barriers. Additionally, inputs from the traffic police were taken into account before the flyover was opened to the public.