BMC Approves Veer Savarkar Flyover Demolition Amid Local Protests

16 Sep 2025 CW Team

Former corporator Deepak Thakur urged the Municipal Commissioner to reconsider the proposal, highlighting concerns that the demolition could cause severe traffic disruption. “We are not against development, but removing the existing flyover will create chaos. Commuters will face traffic congestion until the new bridge is ready,” Thakur said, adding that he plans to meet the Commissioner within two days.

Local resident Sameer Sawant expressed disappointment with elected representatives, stating, “We were hoping local leaders would intervene, but their promises have yielded no results. We are bracing for the traffic nightmare that will follow demolition.”

A senior civic official explained that retaining the existing flyover was explored, but modifying it would cost nearly the same as constructing a new structure. “The double-decker bridge will support local traffic and act as a crucial link between Malad and Dindoshi,” the official said.

The demolition is not expected to take place immediately after the monsoon, indicating flexibility in the project timeline. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani noted, “Final approval has not been granted yet, but there appears to be no other viable option.”

The Veer Savarkar Flyover, also known as the MTNL Flyover, was built in 2018 at a cost of Rs 270 million. It connects the Western Express Highway near Radisson Hotel to Rustomjee Ozone, reducing travel time between WEH, Goregaon, and Malad from over 45 minutes to under 10.

The BMC plans to remove the flyover to facilitate Phase 2 of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North), linking Versova to Dahisar and Mindspace-Malad to Dindoshi. Residents and political parties have strongly opposed the move, fearing severe traffic congestion. Last month, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a protest at the flyover against the demolition.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has granted in-principle approval to demolish the seven-year-old Veer Savarkar Flyover in Goregaon, despite strong opposition from local residents. The demolition is intended to make way for a double-decker bridge as part of the ambitious Versova–Dahisar Link Road (VDLR) project.Former corporator Deepak Thakur urged the Municipal Commissioner to reconsider the proposal, highlighting concerns that the demolition could cause severe traffic disruption. “We are not against development, but removing the existing flyover will create chaos. Commuters will face traffic congestion until the new bridge is ready,” Thakur said, adding that he plans to meet the Commissioner within two days.Local resident Sameer Sawant expressed disappointment with elected representatives, stating, “We were hoping local leaders would intervene, but their promises have yielded no results. We are bracing for the traffic nightmare that will follow demolition.”A senior civic official explained that retaining the existing flyover was explored, but modifying it would cost nearly the same as constructing a new structure. “The double-decker bridge will support local traffic and act as a crucial link between Malad and Dindoshi,” the official said.The demolition is not expected to take place immediately after the monsoon, indicating flexibility in the project timeline. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani noted, “Final approval has not been granted yet, but there appears to be no other viable option.”The Veer Savarkar Flyover, also known as the MTNL Flyover, was built in 2018 at a cost of Rs 270 million. It connects the Western Express Highway near Radisson Hotel to Rustomjee Ozone, reducing travel time between WEH, Goregaon, and Malad from over 45 minutes to under 10.The BMC plans to remove the flyover to facilitate Phase 2 of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North), linking Versova to Dahisar and Mindspace-Malad to Dindoshi. Residents and political parties have strongly opposed the move, fearing severe traffic congestion. Last month, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a protest at the flyover against the demolition.

Infrastructure Urban

17 Sep 2025

DCPC Prepares for Special Campaign 5.0 with Focus on E-Waste

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is gearing up for Special Campaign 5.0, to be held from 2nd to 31st October 2025. The initiative will focus on e-waste disposal as per MoEFCC’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022, space optimisation, and enhancing workplace efficiency across field offices.Special Campaign 4.0, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024, delivered notable results in record management, grievance redressal, scrap disposal, and cleanliness drives.Key outcomes of Special Campaign 4.0Records management: 2,443 physical fil..

Real Estate

17 Sep 2025

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..