Gokhale Bridge-flyover misalignment | Both structures to be aligned in phase 2 work of project: P Velrasu

of 2021, had stated there should be a minimum overhead clearance of six metres from the highest rail level below the railway over bridge.

“The design for the new Gokhale bridge was approved by the Railways in May, 2022 with a height of 8.4 metres above the railway tracks, as a result the over head height got increased by 2.7 metres ,” Velrasu said.

The construction of the 90-metre bridge was completed within 15 months and was lauded as an ‘enginering marvel’ by the BMC.

He said since the new Gokhale bridge was constructed at an increased height, it led to mismatched level between this bridge and the Barfiwala flyover, whose carriageway is now 2.8 metres below the Gokhale bridge. This has lead to a vertical gradient (slope) of 7.5 per cent, while the Indian Road Congress (IRC) rules stated that the vertical gradient shouldn’t exceed 4 per cent in urban areas.

“Since the Gokhale bridge slopes towards S. V. Road and the northern arm of Barfiwala flyover sloping towards Gokhale bridge, which are opposite to each other, it was not feasible to connect these two bridges, as it would have caused accidents,” he said.

Civic officials also maintained that if the two bridges were to be aligned in one go, then SV Road and Juhu Lane towards Andheri station were also required to be closed, which would have result in heavy traffic in the western suburbs.

Velrasu said that during phase 1 work, it was planned that Gokhale Bridge would be started to ease traffic, and in the second phase the work to align both bridges would to be taken up based on recommendations given by IIT and VJTI appointed by the civic body.