Mumbai, June 23 -- The controversial Golden Nest flyover in Bhayandar was opened to traffic on Sunday by BJP MLA Narendra Mehta and Mira-Bhayandar mayor Dimple Mehta, bypassing a formal inauguration planned by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The flyover, which drew criticism earlier this year over its design that appeared to abruptly narrow from four lanes to two, was inaugurated at a local ceremony. After the design drew criticism in January, MMRDA clarified that two of the lanes were intended for a future extension and not part of the current traffic flow arrangement. The authority later sought assistance from IIT Bombay to review safety aspects of the project. Although the flyover has been opened, only three of its four lanes are currently operational. Officials have said the extra two lanes will eventually be extended across the railway tracks and connect to Bhayandar West. The ceremony on Sunday took place without any representatives from the MMRDA, the agency responsible for constructing the flyover. Additionally, no MBMC executives, including Commissioner Radhabinod Sharma, were in attendance. The absence of these officials suggests that the executive leadership was not consulted or taken into confidence regarding the flyover's opening. MMRDA officials, including commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, did not respond to HT's queries on whether a separate formal inauguration would be conducted as was initially planned....