BMC Calls for Second IIT‑B Review Amid Traffic Concerns Over Savarkar Flyover Plan

BMC calls for a second IIT‑B review amid growing traffic concerns over the Savarkar flyover plan. In a bid to fine‑tune a proposed double‑decker corridor along the vital VT‑BROADWAY stretch, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has requested a repeat assessment from the Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT‑B) focusing on traffic management in Mumbai. The fresh review comes after the city’s transport authorities flagged critical merging, signal and pedestrian issues with the new structure’s design.

Background and Context

Mumbai’s relentless traffic woes have made it one of the world’s most congested megacities. The Veer Savarkar flyover in Goregaon, an 8th‑generation viaduct, has long been a lifeline for commuters on the western corridor, absorbing traffic that snakes through the city’s south‑west arteries. Yet the traffic volume—estimated at 30,000 vehicles per hour on peak days—has relentlessly strained the flyover’s capacity and the adjoining S V Road, a key artery linking central and western Mumbai.

With the surge in vehicular influx, the BMC’s earlier announcement on 5 August to decommission the flyover for a new double‑decker corridor sparked public debate. While the proposal promises a 50% increase in through‑traffic capacity, concerns about a 12‑metre height bridge cutting into footpaths, emergency lane accessibility, and traffic merging at the junction have created a cautious atmosphere among local residents and frequent commuters, including international students navigating campus routes.

Key Developments: The Second Review Process

• Structural Inspection: On 27 November, an IIT‑B structural engineer examined the current flyover and proposed design, affirming feasibility from a load‑bearing perspective. This assessment, however, did not encompass traffic flow dynamics.
• Transport Specialist Visit: The BMC is now dispatching a transport specialist from IIT‑B to conduct a comprehensive traffic management assessment. This review will address how two bridges—existing and proposed—will coexist, the merging of descending traffic streams, signal coordination, and pedestrian flow.
• Holistic Scenario Planning: The proposed plan includes a new road line beneath the dual flyovers to ensure an uninterrupted emergency route and accommodate 350 pedestrians per hour at peak, a significant improvement over the current 200 pph figure.
• Public Consultation Sessions: BMC officials announced that meeting minutes and final recommendations will be presented to senior officers, followed by a public exhibition of traffic simulation models next week.

“Once we receive submissions from both the structural and traffic management reviews, a senior officer panel will decide the next steps,” said an unnamed BMC spokesperson. “We are committed to ensuring that footpath space does not get halved due to the new bridge. The public has a right to safe, efficient passage.”

Senior BMC officials reiterated that the existing Savarkar flyover would remain intact, with the new bridge constructed parallel to preserve traffic flow. They highlighted that the ‘parallel structure’ would provide redundancy, enabling 70% service continuity during phased construction.

Impact Analysis: What This Means for Residents and International Students

For international students—many of whom rely on public transport to reach campus, hostels, and employment hubs—traffic disruptions can translate to significant commuting delays. The proposed double‑decker corridor, once approved, is projected to reduce travel times from Goregaon to the western suburbs by approximately 25 minutes during rush hour.

According to a recent study by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), a 12‑metre high flyover could increase the line‑of‑sight traffic speed in the upper deck by 15% but may create bottlenecks at the descent point. The BMC’s insistence on a traffic management review underscores the need to mitigate such bottlenecks, especially on the western leg that students use to access University of Mumbai and institutes like IIT‑B and NIT.

Furthermore, the project’s focus on pedestrian lanes is expected to offer a daily foot traffic path of 1.5 meters, up from the current 1 meter. This upgrade improves safety, especially during monsoon season when puddle‐filled footways pose hazards for commuters crossing the wide S V Road.

Expert Insights and Practical Guidance

Transport analyst Dr. Priya Shankar of the Institute of Traffic Engineering suggests that stakeholders—students included—should plan for the following:

• Alternative Routes: During construction phases, use the Mahim–Vile Parle bypass or the Girgaon–Mahim bypass, which may see increased usage but are generally less congested pre‑construction.
• Public Transport Timing: Align class schedules with off‑peak metro slots (mid‑morning and early afternoon) to avoid peak traffic surges around the flyover area.
• Stay Updated: Subscribe to BMC’s traffic bulletins and local news outlets for real‑time updates on construction progress and detours.
• Safety Precautions: While pedestrian lanes will improve safety, caution is advised near the flyover descent curves due to narrowed sidewalks near signalized intersections.

“Ensuring that the new layout has an ample emergency lane is crucial,” Dr. Shankar added. “Students, especially those on campus vehicles or cycling, should be aware that emergency vehicular access might be temporarily restricted during certain construction windows.”

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for BMC and the Savarkar Flyover?

The BMC’s call for a second IIT‑B review marks a definitive shift from speculative proposals to data‑driven decision making. The upcoming traffic study will generate simulation results which BMC plans to present in a public forum on 4 December. Depending on the outcomes, the corporation may either green‑light the double‑decker corridor or modify it to address merger, signal, and pedestrian shortfalls.

If approved, the project will follow a phased construction timeline, beginning with structural reinforcement of the existing Savarkar flyover, followed by the parallel extension. Completion is projected for Q3 2027, pending full clearance from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board.

Students and local businesses should prepare for incremental road closures, especially on the stretch of S V Road that will host the new bridge’s foundation piles. While BMC assures that alternative routes will be kept open, the potential for 30‑minute delays during peak construction windows cannot be discounted.

In the broader city context, the Savarkar flyover’s upgrade aligns with the Mumbai Master Plan 2030’s goal of 20% reduction in commute times across critical corridors. The integration of state‑of‑the‑art traffic signalling and pedestrian management could set a benchmark for future infrastructure projects citywide.

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