Mumbai commuters face significant traffic adjustments as the Mumbai Traffic Police have ordered a closure of Jagannath Bhatankar Road until May 2026. The decision, prompted by essential pole construction for the Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector Bridge, will halt vehicular movement across the stretch, highlighting the city’s ongoing efforts to upgrade critical transport infrastructure while managing urban mobility challenges.
The road closure spans the entire Jagannath Bhatankar corridor, affecting traffic from Senapati Bapat Marg southbound to Bhatankar Marg. Authorities have outlined an alternate route for affected commuters, directing vehicles via Senapati Bapat Marg, Wadacha Naka, N.M. Joshi Marg, and Dhanmill Naka, bypassing the usual right turn at Elphinstone Junction. Urban planners note that while temporary, such closures are critical in ensuring safety and uninterrupted construction while minimising the risk of accidents in high-density traffic zones. The Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector, a 4.5-kilometre four-lane divided corridor, is a strategic addition to Mumbai’s transport network. Once operational, it is expected to ease congestion across central and southern parts of the city, integrating with the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Atal Setu, and Mumbai Coastal Road. Experts suggest that the corridor could divert 15–20% of traffic from heavily congested arteries, offering substantial time savings for daily commuters and enhancing connectivity between Navi Mumbai, central Mumbai, and South Mumbai.
Current construction reports indicate that approximately 60% of the project has been completed. The initiative includes the development of two Road Over Bridges (ROBs): one at Sewri Station across the Harbour Railway Line, and another at Elphinstone Road, spanning the Central and Western Railway lines. City infrastructure specialists highlight that these elevated links not only improve traffic flow but also reduce urban surface-level bottlenecks, supporting long-term city planning goals around sustainable urban mobility and carbon-efficient commuting. While the closure poses short-term inconvenience to residents and businesses, officials emphasise that coordinated traffic diversions and real-time monitoring aim to minimise disruption. Analysts note that projects of this scale are critical for Mumbai’s evolution into a climate-resilient, infrastructure-driven metropolis. Properly executed, the Sewri-Worli Connector is expected to bolster both economic activity and commuter efficiency in one of India’s most densely trafficked urban corridors.
As Mumbai continues to expand its elevated transport network, careful integration with existing roadways and timely execution of closures like Jagannath Bhatankar Road will remain crucial for balancing development imperatives with citizen convenience and urban livability.
Mumbai Announces Sewri Worli Connector Road Closure
