Kalyan bridge to be shut for 20 days, traffic snarls on cards

KALYAN: Even as the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) election process gathers momentum, thousands of commuters across Kalyan, Ulhasnagar and Ambernath are bracing for disruption with the closure of the city's vital Waldhuni rail overbridge for major repair work. The nearly 30-year-old bridge, a crucial east-west connector and a primary entry point into Kalyan from neighbouring towns, will remain shut for 20 days, raising concerns over traffic congestion during the election period.

According to an official notification issued by the traffic department on Friday, the bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 12:01 am on Dec 20, 2025, to 12:00 midnight on Jan 10, 2026. The KDMC will undertake extensive strengthening works, including expansion joint repairs, bearing replacement and mastic asphalting, to ensure long-term structural safety and commuter security.

The Waldhuni bridge plays a pivotal role in daily movement between Kalyan East and West, while also carrying a heavy inflow of vehicles from Ulhasnagar, Ambernath and Badlapur. With its closure, authorities anticipate heavy traffic congestion on alternative routes, particularly the Shahad rail overbridge and the Patripul rail overbridge, which already witness peak-hour pressure. Addressing these concerns, Anita Pardeshi, City Engineer, KDMC, said the bridge is undergoing its first major repair in three decades. "Though we have sought 20 days for the work, we will try to complete it earlier to minimise inconvenience," she said.

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