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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for a INR 2,395 crore cable-stayed bridge connecting Versova to Madh Island. The project, which was initially envisioned in the 1967 Development Plan, is expected to reduce current commute times from 45-60 minutes to under 10 minutes. The bridge will pass over Marve Creek and mangrove areas, requiring additional approvals from the Bombay High Court. Construction is planned to start by year-end, with a three-year timeline for completion.
The BMC has secured the environmental clearance required to construct a INR 2,395 crore cable-stayed bridge linking Versova with Madh Island, a move set to transform connectivity in Mumbai's western suburbs. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and MP for Mumbai North, announced the approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Advertisement
Currently, there is no direct route between Versova and Madh Island, forcing commuters to take longer detours via Link Road, SV Road, or the Western Express Highway, with travel times ranging from 45 minutes to an hour during peak hours. The new bridge is expected to cut this commute to under 10 minutes.
The bridge, which is 2.06 km long, will cross Marve Creek and pass over mangrove patches. Its cable-stayed design allows piling work to be conducted at a limited capacity, minimizing environmental impact. Permissions from the forest department and the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority have been secured, though the BMC will still approach the Bombay High Court for final approval due to the project passing through the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).
The blueprint for the bridge was finalized by the BMC in 2020. An earlier alignment faced opposition from the local Koli community, who raised concerns over potential disruption to boat parking and local fishing activities. In response, the alignment was revised to reduce environmental impact while still meeting future traffic needs. The bridge will also integrate with the upcoming coastal road connecting Versova to Bhayander.
Tenders for the project were floated in March last year, and work orders were issued in September. The final cost, Rs 2,395 crore, reflects an increase from the initially estimated Rs 1,800 crore, accounting for changes in market rates, labor charges, material costs, and Goods and Services Tax (GST). Construction is expected to begin by year-end, with completion targeted within three years.
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