With the Development for Maharashtra’s infrastructure, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is set to construct a pioneering double-decker bridge over the Vasai Creek, linking Bhayander and Naigaon.
This ambitious project, with an estimated cost of INR 1501 crore, will be the first of its kind in the region, featuring a 4.98-kilometre-long structure with six lanes of road traffic on the lower deck and a metro line on the upper deck. The innovative design of this dual-purpose bridge is intended to significantly enhance connectivity across the rapidly urbanising Vasai region. The lower deck will cater to vehicular traffic, while the upper deck will accommodate the proposed Metro Route 13, which will connect Mira-Bhayander to Vasai-Virar. The metro line, spanning 23 kilometres with 20 stations, aims to provide a much-needed boost to public transportation in the area, addressing the needs of the growing population.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also chairs the MMRDA, greenlit the project on July 9, 2024. The planning and structural design are currently underway, managed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which has been appointed as the consultant. The involvement of DMRC ensures that the project will adhere to the highest standards of engineering and safety. However, the project’s execution is contingent upon obtaining necessary clearances from several regulatory bodies, given that the bridge’s alignment passes through sensitive areas, including salt pans and forests.
Approvals will need to be secured from the Salt Pan Department, Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and the Forest Department. The bridge’s design is also aimed at improving road connectivity to Panju Island, a small village in Vasai with approximately 3,500 residents. Currently, Panju Island lacks direct road access, compelling residents to travel via National Highway 8 for their daily commutes between Mumbai and Vasai. The new bridge will facilitate easier and faster access, thereby promoting regional development and economic activity.
This double-decker bridge over the Vasai Creek is more than just an infrastructure project; it represents a strategic initiative to streamline transportation and promote sustainable urbanisation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. By integrating road and rail on a single structure, the MMRDA is setting a new benchmark in infrastructure development, promising significant time and resource savings while meeting the region’s future transportation needs.
