“Engineering marvel at its best,” reads one sarcastic post on X, mocking the design of Mumbai’s latest infrastructure project. The post features a video of the new Rs 100-crore double-decker flyover in Mira-Bhayandar, where a wide four-lane road suddenly shrinks into just two lanes. While the bridge is part of the ambitious Metro Line 9 project and is meant to ease traffic, it has instead become a laughing stock online. Social media users are calling the design a “bottleneck” that could lead to chaos once it opens this February.

See the design of upcoming Rs 100 crore double decker flyover in Mumbai

4 lane suddenly narrows into just 2 lanes. Just imagine the ride in night

Engineering Marvel at best 🤡pic.twitter.com/zKJOAp6wiw

— 🚨Indian Gems (@IndianGems_) January 26, 2026

The outcry is growing louder as more people share concerns of the abrupt lane merger. Many are asking how the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) approved a design that forces four lanes of speeding traffic into a tiny neck. For a project with such a high price tag, taxpayers are frustrated, pointing out that this “shortcut” in design might cause more accidents than it prevents. With the inauguration just weeks away, the focus has shifted from the bridge’s benefits to the potential danger it poses to night-time drivers.

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

Social Media Slams ‘Death Trap’ Design

The internet has not been kind to the new structure, with various handles pointing out the sheer absurdity of the layout. One viral post warned drivers to “just imagine the ride at night,” suggesting that a motorist might not realise the road has narrowed until it is too late. The comments section is filled with angry residents who feel that the project, built by J. Kumar Infraprojects, prioritised speed of completion over actual commuter safety.

A user with the handle @DealsDhamaka reposted the video with the comment: “Have travelled to several countries, but never seen such an engineering marvel 4 lane flyover narrowed down to 2 lane mid-air ?? How is this possible ?”

Another user commented sarcastically, “I love this new traffic calming technique by Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation. Automotive companies can also test their vehicles here. Mumbai Region is truly a hub of engineering marvels.”

Public sentiment suggests that the flyover looks more like a “funnel” than a modern highway. One user sarcastically thanked the authorities for creating a permanent traffic jam at an elevated height, while others questioned if any safety audits were performed. The general consensus on X and Facebook is one of disbelief, as citizens wonder why a Rs 100-crore budget could not ensure a consistent four-lane path for the entire stretch.

MMRDA Clarifies ‘Future-Proof’ Planning

Responding to the viral backlash, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has clarified that the narrowing is not a design flaw but a result of road width constraints and future planning. According to officials, the flyover currently transitions to two lanes because the Bhayander East arm comes first in the alignment. The remaining two lanes are already planned for a future extension towards Bhayander West, across the Western Railway line. Authorities insist the design allows for smooth crossing of one of the region’s busiest junctions while working within tight ground-level space.

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

Engineering Justifications Meet Public Fury

While the MMRDA has previously mentioned that land issues and the integration of the Metro Line 9 pillars make construction difficult, these excuses are not sitting well with the public. Engineering experts on social media argue that even if the road had to narrow, the transition should have been gradual rather than a sudden “cliff-edge” merger. The fact that this is a double-decker flyover, carrying both a road and a metro track, was supposed to be a proud achievement, but the “missing lanes” have soured the mood.

Local residents of Mira-Bhayandar, who have endured years of construction dust and noise, are particularly vocal. They argue that the narrowing of the bridge will simply shift the ground-level congestion to the flyover. As the February deadline nears, there are calls for the authorities to install massive reflectors, bright signage, and high-quality lighting to prevent the bridge from becoming an accident-prone zone on day one.

Concerns Over Future Traffic Flow

Beyond the immediate safety risks, there is a larger concern about the long-term utility of the flyover. If a four-lane road feeds into a two-lane bottle-neck, the resulting “back-pressure” of traffic could bring the entire Metro Line 9 corridor to a standstill during peak hours. Urban planners on social media have pointed out that infrastructure should be future-proof, but this design feels like a step backward for Mumbai’s northern suburbs.

As the final touches are put on the structure, the pressure is on the state government to address these viral concerns. Whether the MMRDA will implement last-minute changes or stick to the current plan remains to be seen. For now, the “Rs 100-crore funnel” remains a trending topic, serving as a cautionary tale of how modern engineering can sometimes overlook basic

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