Bhiwandi’s ₹62 Crore APJ Abdul Kalam Flyover Develops Dangerous Potholes, ₹9 Crore Repair Plan Proposed
Bhiwandi: Built to ease one of Bhiwandi’s major traffic bottlenecks, the Bharat ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Flyover at Vanjarpatti Naka has now become a source of traffic snarls and accident risks. Large potholes, damaged expansion joints and a badly deteriorated road surface have made the 795-metre flyover increasingly hazardous for motorists, with residents saying that frequent accidents have…
Bhiwandi's ₹62 crore APJ Abdul Kalam Flyover has degenerated into a dangerous stretch plagued by potholes, damaged expansion joints, and deteriorated road surfaces. The 795-metre structure, originally built to alleviate traffic congestion, now poses significant risks to motorists and heavy vehicles. BNCMC's Junior Engineer Vinod Mate confirmed that the entire road surface will require a full overlay to restore safety, estimating the repair cost at approximately Rs 9 crore.
A structural audit by VJTI engineers further corroborated the dire situation, necessitating a complete overhaul rather than patchwork repairs. The civic body plans to prepare a detailed budget and seek approval for fund allocation once the proposal is approved. Commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, have expressed grave concerns over the frequent accidents caused by deep potholes, with several lives lost over the years.
The pothole situation worsened after the civic administration cleared debris from the flyover using a JCB, inadvertently scraping off asphalt and leaving the road surface exposed. The flyover, built at an estimated cost of ₹31.60 crore by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in August 2011, has seen its cost escalate to nearly ₹62 crore by the time of completion.
Despite its inauguration in November 2015, the flyover has deteriorated markedly due to inadequate maintenance.
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