Thane [India], September 16: The Kasarwadavali flyover on Thane’s Ghodbunder Road has been shut to vehicular traffic after cracks and a damaged portion were noticed on the structure, barely a little over a year after it was opened. The closure has raised concerns about the condition of the flyover and is expected to add further pressure to traffic on the already congested Ghodbunder Road.
The flyover, which was inaugurated in July 2025, was constructed to ease congestion in the Kasarwadavali and surrounding Ghodbunder Road areas. It was particularly intended to divert heavy vehicles and traffic heading towards Gujarat away from the busy road below. However, videos showing cracks and what appeared to be a portion hanging near the joints began circulating on social media, prompting authorities to inspect the structure.
Following the complaints and circulation of the videos, officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) inspected the flyover. Traffic on the structure was temporarily stopped during the inspection, with vehicles being diverted to the road below. The move immediately affected traffic between Kasarwadavali and Brahmand, where long queues were reported.
The flyover has now been closed indefinitely for detailed inspection and repair work. According to traffic authorities, the closure began around midnight on September 15 and will continue until the MMRDA completes its inspection and the necessary repairs. No fixed reopening date has been announced so far.
The exact reason for the cracks has not yet been established. A portion around the expansion joint and the base of the structure was reportedly found to have visible damage. While some local claims have linked the problem to the way material was filled around the joints, authorities have not confirmed the cause. The MMRDA’s technical inspection is expected to determine whether the issue is limited to the damaged portion or has any wider structural implications.
The timing of the closure is particularly significant because Ghodbunder Road already carries heavy traffic throughout the day. The Kasarwadavali and Anand Nagar areas have witnessed rapid residential development, increasing the number of vehicles using the corridor. Heavy commercial vehicles add to the congestion, making the flyover an important part of the existing traffic-management arrangement.
With the flyover unavailable, vehicles are being diverted through the available slip roads and alternative routes. Traffic police have announced separate arrangements for heavy and light vehicles. Heavy vehicles travelling towards Ghodbunder Road and Gujarat are being directed onto the adjacent slip road, while light vehicles can use routes through Kasarwadavali Police Station, Grand Square Chowk, Vihang Valley Chowk and Titan Hospital before rejoining the main carriageway.
Emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles have been exempted from the restrictions wherever required. Vehicles associated with Ganesh immersion movements have also been provided access under the traffic arrangements. Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance because the diversion routes are likely to experience additional traffic.
The flyover had been expected to provide relief to motorists travelling between Thane and Ghodbunder Road. Its closure now means traffic that previously moved above the junction must use the surrounding road network, increasing pressure on already busy stretches. Residents have expressed concern that delays could become more severe, particularly during peak commuting hours.
There are also questions about the durability of the recently constructed infrastructure. A report by eSakal noted that problems had been noticed along the road near the flyover soon after it was opened, and the contractor had reportedly been fined ₹50 lakh following complaints about the quality of the work. The latest structural issue has renewed questions about construction and maintenance standards, although the actual cause of the present damage will only be known after the technical investigation.
For commuters, the immediate priority is the restoration of safe traffic movement. Authorities have indicated that the flyover will remain closed until the inspection is completed and required repairs are carried out. The reopening decision will depend on the findings of the MMRDA assessment.
Until then, motorists using Ghodbunder Road, particularly those travelling between Thane, Gaimukh and Gujarat, may need to allow additional time for their journeys and follow traffic diversions announced by the police.
