In a significant move towards enhancing connectivity in Mumbai’s western suburbs, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled a substantial INR 1,800 crore tender for the construction of a state-of-the-art cable-stayed bridge.
This transformative infrastructure project aims to seamlessly link Madh Island with Versova, offering a strategic solution to the longstanding transportation challenges in the region. Originally proposed in 2015, the Madh-Versova bridge project encountered numerous hurdles before reaching its current milestone. The final blueprint, solidified by BMC in 2020, had to navigate a complex route through a dense mangrove cover and coastal regulatory zone, necessitating meticulous environmental clearances. March 2022 saw the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) urging BMC to devise an alternative alignment to mitigate potential damage to the mangroves.
“Last time, when we sent the proposal to the environment ministry, we were asked to implement some design changes so that it doesn’t affect the flora and fauna, and to minimise the number of mangroves affected. The new plan for this bridge was prepared by consulting the fishing community,” said an official. He added that not only has the cost escalated due to tax, GST rates, and market rates of raw materials today, but also that the new design is costlier to execute.
Overcoming opposition from the local fishing community and securing environmental clearances in January 2024 marked pivotal milestones for BMC. The estimated project cost of INR 1,800 crore, as indicated in the tender document, surpasses the initial projections from 2015 by more than fourfold. With a strict 36-month deadline set by BMC, the cable-stayed bridge is poised to redefine commuting between Madh and Versova.
Spanning Versova Creek, an inlet of the Arabian Sea, the proposed bridge addresses the lack of direct road connectivity between the two suburbs. Presently reliant on a ferry service, which experiences a four-month suspension during the monsoon, residents face a 22-km detour via the Western Express Highway or SV Road, taking 45-60 minutes during peak hours. The upcoming 1.5 km-long and 27.5 metres wide cable-stayed bridge will feature four lanes, two on each side, providing a much-needed boost to accessibility.
In tandem with this ambitious project, BMC has also invited tenders for an elevated road between Khar subway and Bandra Terminus, estimated at INR 1,300 crore. With a 42-month completion deadline, this complementary initiative further underscores BMC’s commitment to bolstering Mumbai’s infrastructure and addressing longstanding transportation challenges.
