‘Engineering marvel?’ Mumbai’s Gokhale bridge footpath sparks online backlash, BMC defends design | Watch

Mumbai’s Gokhale bridge footpath.

A video mocking the cramped footpath on a section of Andheri’s newly commissioned Gokhale bridge has gone viral, amassing over a million views and sparking sharp criticism online, TOI reported. The clip, shared by the sarcastic X handle @IndianGems, targets the Rs 111-crore structure, which fully reopened in May after prolonged repairs.

The post, laced with irony, reads: "This is Rs 111-crore Gokhale Bridge, Mumbai, opened 2 months ago. Look at the size & design of the footpath. Engineering Marvel." TOI reported that users quickly piled on, with one calling it a "one-way footpath" and another suggesting the walkway appeared "like an afterthought."

This is ₹111 crore Gokhale bridge, Mumbai opened 2 months ago Look at the size & design of the footpath Engineering Marvel 🤡 pic.twitter.com/ROuG6MNWkL

— 🚨Indian Gems (@IndianGems_) July 14, 2025

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), however, pushed back, clarifying that only a portion of the footpath is narrow. "Also, a person can walk on it," an official was cited by TOI.

The controversy comes just days after another infrastructure project, a railway overbridge in Bhopal, faced ridicule for its impractical 90-degree turn, forcing authorities to consider a redesign. That structure, built near Aishbagh stadium at a cost of Rs 18 crore, was widely mocked online, with users comparing its sharp angle to the "Temple Run" mobile game.

While the bridge's design has caused amusement and criticism, it also highlights the challenges faced by engineers in India when dealing with land constraints and other design limitations.

Gokhale Bridge itself has a troubled history; its pedestrian section collapsed in July 2018, killing two. By November 2022, the entire structure was shut to vehicles and pedestrians due to safety concerns. After extensive reconstruction, it was fully reopened on May 11 this year.