“An invitation to crashes”: Mumbai’s Mira-Bhayandar flyover sparks safety fears as lanes abruptly narrow

A newly constructed flyover in the Mira-Bhayandar suburb of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has sparked sharp public criticism, political debate, and safety concerns after a viral video showed the road suddenly narrowing from four lanes to just two. 

What actually happened with the Mira-Bhayandar flyover in Mumbai?

Motorists, commuters and urban planners have raised alarms that the unusual transition could create traffic snarls and increase the risk of accidents once the structure opens to traffic later this month.

The double-deck flyover, a key component of Metro Line-9 infrastructure, was intended to ease chronic congestion along one of the region’s busiest corridors and streamline connectivity between Mira Road and Bhayandar.

However, social media footage circulated by local handles captured what appears to be a sudden constriction from four lanes to two mid-way through the span, prompting ridicule and concern from commuters online.

Critics, including leaders from opposition parties such as the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), have seized on the moment to question both the planning and execution behind the design.

A Congress spokesperson told reporters the transition appears to be “an invitation to crashes,” arguing that “nothing about this design seems to prioritise commuter safety.”

Responding to the uproar, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the agency responsible for the project, insisted that the lane reduction is intentional and part of long-term planning, not an engineering mistake.

In an official statement, the authority stated that the configuration is due to right-of-way constraints and phased development, with two lanes currently serving traffic towards Bhayandar East, and provisions are kept for future expansion towards Bhayandar West.

Safety features such as reflective signage, rumble strips and crash barriers have also been incorporated, the agency added.

“We have designed this flyover with future traffic growth in mind while accommodating on-ground limitations,” an MMRDA official said, stressing that the transition does not constitute a sudden structural flaw.

Urban planning experts, however, argue that while phased infrastructure development is common, a clearer taper and better signage are essential to prevent bottlenecks and ensure driver safety, especially during peak traffic hours.

Public response continues to evolve as residents await the flyover’s official inauguration expected in February.

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