A political dispute has broken out over the naming of the newly constructed Vidyavihar East-West bridge in Mumbai prior to its official opening. The row escalated after local office-bearers of Shiv Sena (UBT) installed banners on the structure demanding that it be named 'Padma Shri Nana Patekar Setu'. This follows an earlier proposal by BJP MLA Parag Shah to name the flyover after Captain Smit Machchhar.

Competing demands over naming

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Prakash Wani explained that proposing actor Nana Patekar recognises his contributions to Indian cinema as well as his social work for farmers through the NAAM Foundation. Party representatives submitted formal letters outlining their request to Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.

Conversely, BJP MLA Parag Shah urged civic authorities to name the link after Captain Smit Machchhar, a resident of Ghatkopar. Captain Machchhar earned global praise after thwarting a violent mid-air hijacking of a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight.

However, Leader of the House in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Ganesh Khankar, accused Shiv Sena (UBT) of seeking political credit. He remarked that while Patekar is one of the country's most talented actors, naming a large theatre or cultural complex after him would be far more appropriate than a bridge.

NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar said, "There are many such bridges; you could name one after someone and another after someone else. Ajit Dada was a major leader in Maharashtra, and we are demanding that the Pune Ring Road be named after him. However, the government has not uttered a single word on this matter yet. You may name the bridges whatever you choose; our collective demand is that the Pune Ring Road should be named after Ajit Dada.”

Infrastructure features and opening status

The two-lane Vidyavihar bridge spans a total length of 650 metres, establishing a direct connection between Ramchandra Chemburkar Marg on the eastern side and Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Marg on the western side in Ghatkopar. Built by the civic body, the structure includes a 100-metre section over railway tracks, supported by a 220-metre eastern approach road and a 330-metre western approach road. The project also features noise barriers, rebuilt staircases, new ticket booking offices, an updated station master's office, and direct walkways connecting to Vidyavihar railway station footpaths.

Although construction work is complete, the opening date remains unconfirmed. Mayor Ritu Tawde said that the inauguration was briefly delayed due to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis conducting a tour of drought-affected regions. Appealing against political disputes, Tawde clarified that the Chief Minister and she will meet to make the final decision regarding the official name.