Mumbai’s push to improve east–west connectivity in one of its most congested suburban belts has gained momentum with the installation of a 52-metre steel span on the Andheri–JVLR Missing Link corridor. The metropolitan development authority confirmed the successful launch at the busy Infinity Mall junction in Andheri West, marking a significant advancement for a project expected to ease chronic traffic delays and support a more sustainable mobility framework for the city.
The new span is a key structural element of the elevated connector designed to link Andheri West’s Link Road with Poonam Nagar on the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR). This part of the city has long struggled with heavy peak-hour bottlenecks, particularly at the SV Road junction and the Western Express Highway, where insufficient grade separation forces thousands of vehicles through narrow choke points each day. According to officials overseeing the project, the installation required exceptional precision due to the complex transit environment at the site. The steel structure—comprising 12 composite girders weighing over 46 metric tonnes each—had to be positioned in a corridor constrained by two metro lines. While Metro Line 6 is currently under construction above the alignment, Metro Line 2A operates at mid-level, leaving very limited space for manoeuvring equipment or materials.
The authority noted that the launch demanded coordinated efforts between structural engineers, safety teams and metro operations staff. Their joint role was to ensure the span could be placed without interrupting public movement or compromising railway operations. Officials added that the new span forms an essential link within the double-deck transport system being developed along the corridor, which integrates road infrastructure with metro alignments to maximise scarce urban space. Urban transport analysts view the Missing Link project as an important component in Mumbai’s broader transition towards a more sustainable and inclusive mobility ecosystem. By reducing congestion-induced idling and allowing smoother passage for commuters from neighbourhoods such as Swami Samarth Nagar, the corridor is expected to lower emissions, reduce travel fatigue and create more predictable journey times—benefits that align with the city’s long-term climate resilience and liveability goals.
Once operational, the connector is projected to shorten the journey between Andheri West and Poonam Nagar to under 20 minutes. This improved travel efficiency may also ease pressure on parallel roads and contribute to better utilisation of public transport systems, especially when combined with last-mile walking and cycling improvements in adjoining precincts. Officials said the latest milestone reinforces the authority’s commitment to delivering faster, safer and more connected mobility solutions for Mumbai. As work progresses on the remaining sections, planners emphasise that integrated projects like the Missing Link will be central to shaping an urban transport network that supports growth while prioritising environmental efficiency and equitable access.
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