Mumbai, September 2024 – In a move set to alleviate one of Mumbai’s major traffic bottlenecks, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the long-awaited Akurli Bridge on the Western Express Highway late last night. The newly completed project is expected to bring significant relief to thousands of commuters, addressing persistent congestion on one of the city’s busiest roads.
During the inauguration, Goyal highlighted the bridge as a Ganesh Chaturthi gift not just for North Mumbai but for the entire city. “This is a moment of pride, as this bridge will reduce travel time, save fuel, and ease the daily commute for lakhs of Mumbaikars,” he stated.
The project, which had been delayed for years, saw a swift turnaround under Goyal’s close supervision. Acting on a directive issued during his meeting with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on August 14th, Goyal’s proactive involvement ensured that the bridge construction was completed within a record time of 30 days.
In his address, Goyal emphasized the need for time-bound completion of critical infrastructure projects across Mumbai. “This bridge is a symbol of what we can achieve when there is clear accountability and urgency in execution. I urge all civic authorities to ensure that other ongoing projects are completed in a similarly efficient manner,” he said.
The completion of the Akurli Bridge is part of a broader push by the government to upgrade Mumbai’s infrastructure and ease traffic woes. Goyal has been actively overseeing several infrastructure projects in the city, including the expansion of underpasses and the extension of the Coastal Road to Bhayandar. He instructed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and traffic police to expedite the widening of the Akurli underpass, aiming for completion by October, without further disruption to traffic flow.
Goyal’s consistent involvement in these projects has brought renewed momentum to various stalled efforts across the city, with regular meetings to track progress and ensure minimal disturbance to the public.
The Minister’s hands-on approach has garnered attention, with many seeing this as a step toward transforming Mumbai’s overburdened road network. As Mumbai gears up for future projects, Goyal’s focus on accountability and swift execution is setting a new standard for urban infrastructure development.
