Mumbai: Mumbai’s long-delayed East-West Vidyavihar bridge has become the centre of a political dispute even before opening to traffic, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP backing different names for the new infrastructure project.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded that the bridge be named ‘Padma Shri Nana Patekar Setu’, honouring the veteran actor. BJP MLA Parag Shah, meanwhile, has proposed naming the structure after Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian commercial pilot who was praised internationally for thwarting a violent mid-air hijacking aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.

The naming contest intensified after Sena (UBT) workers put up a banner on the bridge supporting Patekar’s name. Earlier this week, a delegation of party leaders also met Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and submitted a formal letter seeking approval for the proposal. Tawde was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts to contact her.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) House Leader Ganesh Khankar criticised the opposition party, accusing it of creating controversy to claim credit for the naming initiative. While acknowledging Patekar’s stature as one of India’s most talented actors, Khankar said a large theatre or theatre complex would be a more appropriate tribute to the actor than a bridge.

The 650-metre-long, two-lane bridge connects Ramchandra Chemburkar Marg, east of Vidyavihar railway station, with Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in Ghatkopar. Its 100-metre section passes over railway tracks, while approach roads extend 220 metres on the eastern side and 330 metres on the western side.

The project also includes station access links and reconstructed ticket offices, the station master’s office and staircases. A final decision on the bridge’s name remains awaited.