Mumbai News: Residents And Political Parties Protest BMC Proposal To Demolish Veer Savarkar Flyover In Goregaon

Mumbai: Local residents and political parties have united in strong opposition to the BMC’s controversial proposal to demolish the Veer Savarkar Flyover a vital link between Goregaon east and west.

MNS Threatens Agitation

The move has sparked public outrage, with fears of a major traffic crisis looming over the area if the flyover is dismantled. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has issued a stern warning, threatening an agitation if the civic body proceeds with what it calls a short-sighted and reckless decision.

MNS workers protest to save Veer Savarkar Flyover in Goregaon West against BMC demolition plan

BJP and RPI Demand Alternatives

Meanwhile, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Republican Party of India (RPI) have demanded that BMC reconsider and find alternatives, slamming the decision as a waste of taxpayers’ money on dismantling a functional, crucial infrastructure.

On August 5 & 6, The Free Press Journal highlighted the inconvenience local residents would face if the Veer Savarkar Flyover is demolished. A campaign has also been launched to save the crucial flyover from being razed.

Following the report, Virendra Jadhav, Divisional President (Vibhag Adhyaksha) of the MNS from Goregaon West, along with party workers recently staged a protest at the flyover, strongly opposing the BMC’s decision.

MNS has also put up banners along S.V. Road strongly condemning BMC’s proposal to demolish the flyover, built at a cost of Rs 27 crore from taxpayers’ money. The banners slam the move as a blatant waste of public funds and question the civic body's planning and accountability.

Jadhav said, “Demolishing a fully functional flyover is nothing short of destroying taxpayers’ hard-earned money. The BMC must stop this reckless waste of public funds, explore viable alternatives, and immediately withdraw its decision. If not, we will be forced to launch a large-scale agitation.”

Former Opposition Leader in the BMC and now BJP leader Ravi Raja questioned the rationale behind the demolition, stating: “This bridge was constructed because it was genuinely needed, so what has changed now? What about the people’s needs today? Why isn’t there a collective, coordinated approach to planning projects in Mumbai, especially considering the disruption they may cause to the public? I will be taking this matter up directly with the Municipal Commissioner.”

Harish Yadav of the Republican Party of India stated, “This decision will not be tolerated. I will soon be dispatching a formal letter condemning the BMC’s move.”

Residents Warn of Traffic Chaos

Amol Mayekar, a resident of Goregaon, warned, “If this flyover is demolished, the only remaining exit for southbound traffic will be severely overburdened. It could take commuters over an hour just to cross the junction. Until the Versova-Dahisar Link Road becomes operational, the coming years will be a traffic mess for the entire area.” Meanwhile, a senior civic official clarified that the flyover demolition proposal is still under review.

Flyover Built to Reduce Commute Times

The Veer Savarkar Flyover, locally known as the MTNL Flyover, is situated in Goregaon West. It stretches from near the Radisson Hotel along the Western Express Highway (WEH) to the Rustomjee Ozone residential complex.

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Mumbai News: Goregaon’s Veer Savarkar Flyover Demolition Plan Faces Strong Opposition From Local Leaders And Commuters

Built in 2018 after a decade-long campaign, the flyover reduced commute times from over 45 minutes to under 10 minutes for travelers between the WEH, Goregaon, and Malad. However, the BMC now plans to demolish the flyover to make way for Phase 2 of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, which will connect Versova to Dahisar.