MMRDA’s Sewri-Worli Link Nears Completion
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is rapidly advancing towards the completion of the Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector, a pivotal 4.5-kilometre link designed to enhance connectivity between Atal Setu, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and the forthcoming Mumbai Coastal Road.
This ambitious project, engineered as a four-lane divided elevated corridor, forms a key component of Mumbai’s strategic traffic dispersal system and is set to streamline commuting routes across Navi Mumbai, Central Mumbai, and South Mumbai. With approximately 60 per cent of the work completed, the project’s progress is particularly notable given its complex engineering challenges. Integral to the connector’s design are two Road Over Bridges (ROBs): one at Sewri Station, spanning the Harbour Railway Line, and another at Elphinstone Road near Prabhadevi, which crosses the Central and Western Railway lines. The latter poses significant difficulties, chiefly due to the necessity of replacing an ageing structure that has stood for over a century. The existing 13-metre-wide bridge is scheduled for demolition, to be supplanted by a modern, double-decker ROB.
This new structure will incorporate two decks; the lower deck will facilitate a 2+2 lane carriageway connecting Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road and Senapati Bapat Road, while the upper deck will provide a dedicated route from Atal Setu to Worli. To accomplish this, MMRDA engineers are employing advanced methodologies, including the Push-Pull technique, to erect the heavy steel superstructure. These measures are being implemented with strict adherence to safety protocols, particularly as the work is conducted over active railway tracks, necessitating meticulous coordination with railway authorities.
Additional challenges include the need for heavy-duty cranes—two with an 800 MT capacity and an 800 MT standby unit—to dismantle the existing bridge, compounded by limited working space and local utility diversions. A section of the road between Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road and Senapati Bapat Marg will remain closed for a period of 12 months pending final traffic police approvals. Once operational, the Sewri-Worli Connector is projected to alleviate 15-20 per cent of the vehicular load currently burdening Atal Setu. This transformative infrastructure is poised to deliver a seamless, signal-free travel experience, marking a significant milestone in Mumbai’s ongoing efforts to improve urban mobility and reduce traffic congestion across the metropolis.
