Kirol, Khalai Gaothan Residents Demand 'Kirol Gaon Uddanpul' Name For Vidyavihar Flyover Ahead Of October 22 Opening
Mumbai: Residents of Kirol and Khalai, two Gaothans located at the west end of the new Vidhyavihar flyover, scheduled to be inaugurated today (Oct 22) have demand that the road bridge over the Central Railway line should be named as Kirol Gaon Uddanpul. Flyover To Improve Connectivity The demand comes as several others names have been suggested for the bridge, a crucial infrastructure that…
Residents of Kirol and Khalai, two Gaothans near Mumbai's new Vidhyavihar flyover set to open on October 22, have demanded the bridge over the Central Railway line be named Kirol Gaon Uddanpul. The demand arises as several alternatives have been proposed for the crucial infrastructure project, bridging the gap between eastern and western Vidyavihar and connecting LBS Road to Ghatkopar-Mahul Road.
Names suggested so far include late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, late actor Nana Patekar, and Captain Smit Machchar, the pilot who averted a hijack of a flydubai flight on September 30.
Residents of Kirol and Khalai, however, express respect for the suggested names but emphasize that the bridge was built on land that once belonged to their villages. Kiran Kamble from Kirol noted that while Captain Smit and Nana Patekar are widely acclaimed, the bridge stands on ancestral land, with village records still referring to it as Kirol.
This land has been a part of the village since the 12th century, during the reign of the Yadava dynasty, with historical mentions in Mahikavati records. The area's revenue records also continue to reference Kirol.
Kirol gaothan resident Rodrigues pointed out that despite the village's historical significance, the people had to sacrifice their ancestral property and houses for the flyover's construction. During the development, the residents faced challenges like a lack of power and water supply due to cable and pipeline damages. Rodrigues stressed that the residents of Kirol and Khalai Gaothan contributed to the development of Vidyavihar by providing land and fields in the past.
He argued that naming the flyover after dead politicians or leaders not directly tied to the area's development would not honor the community's legacy. The residents have written to the Mayor, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, and Chief Minister to reconsider their demand. As of now, a name for the flyover has not been announced, though it is expected to open for traffic on October 22.
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