MUMBAI — A newly constructed flyover in the Mira-Bhayandar region has become the center of a major infrastructure controversy after viral footage revealed the four-lane structure abruptly tapers into just two lanes midway. The project, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Metro Line 9 corridor, is being ridiculed by citizens and opposition leaders as a "death trap" and a "bottleneck" designed for disaster.
The Controversy at a Glance
The 1.5-km stretch, specifically the Deepak Hospital-Phatak Road section, was intended to ease the chronic congestion of Mumbai’s northern suburbs. Instead, aerial videos shared by local handles and the Congress party show a wide, modern four-lane highway suddenly "choked" into two lanes with sharp, jagged angles.
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Mira-Bhayandar (Deepak Hospital to Phatak Road) |
| Estimated Cost | Approximately ₹100 Crore |
| Project Type | Double-decker flyover (Metro Line 9) |
| The Issue | 4 lanes suddenly narrowing to 2 lanes |
| Opening Date | Scheduled for February 2026 |
MMRDA Defends: "It's a Feature, Not a Flaw"
Responding to the wave of "trolling" and safety concerns, the MMRDA issued a statement clarifying that the narrowing is an intentional part of "future-proof" planning.
"The flyover has been designed with two lanes for Bhayandar East and two future connecting lanes for Bhayandar West. Since the East arm comes first, the 4-lane configuration presently transitions into 2 lanes. The outer lanes are reserved for future extension across the Western Railway line." — MMRDA Official Statement
Authorities insist that the design accounts for space constraints and road width limitations on the ground. They have promised to install rumble strips, high-visibility signage, and crash barriers to manage the transition before the February inauguration.
Public and Political Backlash
The explanation has done little to calm fears. Social activists and urban planners have pointed out that sudden lane reductions are leading causes of high-speed accidents, drawing comparisons to the tragic 2022 crash of Cyrus Mistry.
Aaditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT): Sarcastically labeled the bridge a "masterpiece" and questioned if "stupidity or corruption" led to the design.
Congress Party: Criticized the lack of accountability, calling it a "deadly miracle" typical of current infrastructure planning.
Commuters: Many expressed disbelief on social media, questioning why a ₹100-crore budget couldn't secure a consistent flow, effectively turning the flyover into an elevated traffic jam.
As the February deadline approaches, the pressure is mounting on the state government to address whether this "bottleneck" will be corrected or if commuters will be left to navigate what many are calling Mumbai's most expensive funnel.
