The long-awaited Mira-Bhayander to Naigaon metro project, along with the associated transport bridge, faces fresh delays, leaving the 3,500 residents of Panju Island isolated and exposed to daily hazards. Currently, villagers must rely on boats or risk traversing the fragile railway creek bridge to reach Naigaon or Bhayander stations. This precarious arrangement has tragically claimed lives, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and safe transport infrastructure.
A recent fatality on the railway bridge has reignited concerns over the stalled project. Local residents described navigating the bridge as perilous, with several accidents reported over the years due to its unsafe design and overcrowding. The lack of a dedicated access point or vehicle bridge for Panju Island residents underscores the urgency for timely intervention. The broader Mira-Bhayander to Naigaon metro initiative was designed to integrate the rapidly growing suburbs of Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayander with Mumbai’s metropolitan transport network. However, bureaucratic delays, environmental clearances, and design complications have stalled the project. Current plans for a coastal road connecting Versova to Vasai-Virar further risk local ecosystems and fishing livelihoods, forcing rerouting decisions that compound delays for island residents.
To address regional connectivity, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has approved a 4.98-kilometre double-decker bridge over the Vasai creek. The innovative structure will accommodate a metro line on the upper deck and a roadway beneath, linking Bhayander and Naigaon. The Rs 1,501-crore project has received state-level approval and is expected to serve both commuters and isolated Panju villagers once operational. Alongside the bridge, the proposed Metro Route 13, spanning 23 kilometres with 20 stations, is set to improve public transport between Mira-Bhayander and Vasai-Virar. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation oversees the engineering and safety standards, ensuring that the infrastructure meets modern urban mobility benchmarks. Officials emphasise that proper coordination between transport authorities, environmental agencies, and local stakeholders is essential to balance connectivity, safety, and ecological sustainability.
Experts argue that the delay not only affects daily commuting but also impedes equitable access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment for island residents. Advocates have called for expedited tendering and construction to prevent further loss of life and to provide a sustainable, zero-carbon, and gender-inclusive transport solution that prioritises community welfare alongside urban growth. With growing public awareness and increased scrutiny of infrastructure delays, the successful completion of the Mira-Bhayander to Naigaon metro and bridge project will be critical in transforming Panju Island from an isolated enclave into a connected, resilient community.
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