Ganesh mandals can’t use Gokhale Bridge due to steel girder of overbridge

Vikram Singh, the president of the Andheri cha Vighnaharta, Bal Gopal Mitra Mandal, and Andheri East Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal, said that before the construction on the Gokhale Bridge began, all mandals from Andheri and Jogeshwari had informed the authorities about the bridge’s significance for transporting idols to Versova Beach and Juhu Chowpatty for immersion.

“Despite these warnings, the bridge was constructed without addressing these concerns,” Singh said adding that the alternative route is a longer one.

Sankalp Mitra mandal from Marol Pipeline Kadam Wadi will continue to immerse idols at Powai Lake this time as well, Umesh Rane, founder of the mandal said. They previously immersed their idols at Juhu Chowpatty but have shifted to Powai Lake for the past two years due to the narrow and crowded alternate route available for the immersion procession when the Gokhale bridge was being constructed.

“Although the bridge is opened partially for traffic, we  will continue to go to Powai lake for immersion due to height problem and also to avoid inconvenience since all other sarvajanik mandals will take the Vile Parle route,” he said.

A Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official from the bridges department explained that the new Gokhale Bridge’s design was provided by the railways. The official added that the height could not be increased due to the weight of the steel span, which could endanger the live railway tracks below.

One arm of the Gokhale Bridge was opened for traffic in February this year.

The BMC is currently working on realigning the CD Barfiwala Flyover with the newly constructed Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge.  The entire section of Gokhale Bridge is expected to be ready by 2025.

Barfiwala Flyover realignment delayed

The realignment of the CD Barfiwala Flyover with the newly constructed Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge has been delayed as it awaits a block clearance from the Railways, according to a civic official.

A 15-day period is needed to launch the steel girder over the railway tracks on the remaining section of the bridge.

Due to the ongoing monsoon season, the Railways have been hesitant to grant the necessary block clearance, citing the increased risks involved during this time. Once the clearance is given, the work, which requires at least a two-hour window each day to safely launch the heavy steel span, can proceed to completion.