What was meant to ease traffic in Mira-Bhayander has instead triggered a heated debate online. A newly built flyover under Mumbai’s Metro Line 9 project is facing criticism after a viral video showed its four lanes abruptly shrinking into two. The visuals left many commuters questioning the design, prompting the opposition to target the government over alleged planning lapses. With the issue gaining momentum on social media, authorities have now issued a response.
4-lane flyover shrinks to 2 lanes as viral video sparks opposition attack on Maharashtra government
The controversy surrounding the Mira-Bhayander flyover began on January 26, when a video showing a four-lane stretch abruptly narrowing into just two lanes was shared by the handle Gems of Mira Bhayandar on social media platform X. Shot from an aerial angle, the visuals quickly went viral, triggering widespread concern over the design and safety of the newly constructed structure under Mumbai’s Metro Line 9 project. What initially appeared to be a civic issue soon took on political overtones.
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The very next day, the Indian National Congress reposted the same video on its official X handle, accompanied by a sharp and sarcastic caption. Calling it “the ‘miracle’ of engineering in Maharashtra,” the party wrote,
“A four-lane bridge suddenly turned into two lanes.”
It further added,
“Whether in Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh—such deadly ‘miracles’ have become commonplace under BJP governments.”
Sharing the aerial visuals, the Congress escalated its attack on the Devendra Fadnavis-led government by stating,
“The public may be distressed or lose lives in accidents, but the government couldn’t care less. Not a shred of responsibility or accountability.”
The post intensified the online debate, with the flyover video now standing at the centre of a larger conversation around infrastructure planning, safety, and governance.
Have a look at the viral tweet
First posted by Gems of Mira Bhayandar,
A 4-lane flyover in Mira-Bhayandar suddenly narrows into just 2 lanes. This double-decker flyover is a part of the Metro Line 9 project by JKumar and is set to be inaugurated in February.
Is this how @MMRDAOfficial designs “infrastructure”?
How did this design get approved? 🤷🏻 pic.twitter.com/ZNfwi1Yf9W
— Gems of Mira Bhayandar (@GemsOfMBMC) January 26, 2026
Then by INC,
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महाराष्ट्र में इंजीनियरिंग का ‘चमत्कार’ 👇
एक फोर लेन ब्रिज अचानक से दो लेन में बदल गया।
महाराष्ट्र हो या मध्य प्रदेश- BJP सरकार में ऐसे जानलेवा ‘चमत्कार’ आम हो चुके हैं।
जनता परेशान हो या हादसों में जान गंवाए, सरकार को रत्ती भर फर्क नहीं पड़ रहा- न जिम्मेदारी और न जवाबदेही। pic.twitter.com/6ptvs34d9I
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 27, 2026
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MMRDA breaks silence and explains why 4 lanes narrow to 2
Amid growing outrage over the viral flyover video, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) stepped in to clarify that the design is intentional and not an engineering lapse. Responding to the post shared by Gems of Mira Bhayandar, the authority explained that the structure was planned keeping future expansion in mind.
“As per planning, the flyover has been designed with two lanes for Bhayander East and future connecting two lanes for Bhayander West.”
MMRDA thereby added that since the Bhayander East arm appears first along the alignment, the four lanes currently transition into two.
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MMRDA further stressed that the remaining two lanes are part of a future extension across the Western Railway line. Addressing safety concerns, the authority asserted,
“The flyover does not ‘suddenly narrow’. The transition from 4 lanes to 2 lanes is not a design flaw, but is based on available road width constraints and future network planning.”
It also highlighted that up to Golden Nest Circle—one of the busiest junctions in the region—a 2+2 lane flyover integrated with the Metro and supported by slip roads has been provided to disperse traffic efficiently.
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Looking ahead, the authority confirmed that provisions for widening have already been built into the plan.
“The outer side of the flyover on both carriageways will be extended by an additional 1+1 lane.”
By saying so, MMRDA noted that the proposal is currently at the planning stage and will be executed in coordination with the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation after approvals. Reassuring commuters, it added that safety measures such as rumble strips, signage, anti-crash barriers and retro-reflective markers have been incorporated, with traffic police guidance being sought before the flyover is opened for public use.
Have a look at their whole response
The flyover does not “suddenly narrow.” The transition from 4 lanes to 2 lanes is not a design flaw, but is based on available road width constraints, and future network planning.
As per planning, the flyover has been designed with two lanes for Bhayander East and future… https://t.co/hZrsBl9SAR
— MMRDA (@MMRDAOfficial) January 27, 2026
Aditya Thackeray and netizens took a dig at MMRDA’s tweet
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray also weighed in, taking a sharp dig at MMRDA’s clarification and questioning the logic behind the flyover’s design. Furthermore, netizens also flooded social media with comments mocking the lane reduction and raising concerns over traffic chaos and accountability. Have a look at some worth-checking-out comments,
Very true. People must not make fun of MMRDA and the team that designed this masterpiece.
Next year, another MoU on teaching this design to other countries. The bride will be complete by the timeline of everything else that was promised- 2047.
What stupidity can lead to this… https://t.co/E1Pzn0ZBXT
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 27, 2026
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Expectation Reality pic.twitter.com/nmvXNKiS5y
— Karthik Reddy (@bykarthikreddy) January 27, 2026
Cyrus Mistry was killed on exact same L – shaped ‘masterpiece’
The flyover does not “suddenly narrow.” – It just goes Boom💥 pic.twitter.com/K1fy6vAgvo
— Alok (@alokawinash) January 27, 2026
Ek dhang ka photo👇AI se hi banwa liya hota design karne se pehle to ye engineering ke naam par is bawaseer ko justify na kar rahe hote! pic.twitter.com/bXTw7QQxtf
— Shivang Chaturvedi (@_loud_thinker) January 27, 2026
all civil engineers are writing code for infosys tcs etc.
— pun. life. (@mindkhichdi) January 27, 2026
Is Quota Engineering is showing its results 🤔🤣
— Amit G 🇮🇳 (@A1mit) January 26, 2026
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Is that American standards???
Sangi talking about??? 🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/gdJwdJVDJW— தமிழச்சி TN (@voicefortn) January 27, 2026
How does this JKumar get projects again n again, remember the Mumbai Pune highway near Turbhe and Vash section was in such bad condition after 8 lanes were built and during monsoon it was impossible to driver down the road.
— Amchi Mumbai (@MumbaiAmchi) January 28, 2026
A gate to heaven … 😂😂😂😂
— Rajshri (@rajshri2k) January 26, 2026
Features of Amritkaal. But NVM some Andhbhakt Will be on his way to justify the design and call you anti-national.
— Anish Aniket Mahanta (@anishmahanta) January 26, 2026
The situation is worrying, especially when those in power appear to show little genuine concern for the safety and well-being of their tax-paying citizens. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do share your views in the comments below.
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