In a major step toward unlocking faster and more inclusive connectivity across Mumbai’s western coastline, the long-delayed Madh-Versova Bridge project is on the verge of construction.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is now awaiting final clearance from the Forest Department, following a recent nod under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) framework. Once all permissions are secured, the civic body is expected to approach the Bombay High Court for formal approval to break ground. Set to be a transformative infrastructure intervention, the proposed 2.06-kilometre cable-stayed bridge will directly link the fishing hamlets of Madh, Aksa, Bhatti, and Erangal with Versova, drastically slashing commute times. At present, residents must navigate a circuitous 22-kilometre road journey through JP Road and Link Road, often stretching up to 90 minutes. The only alternative—a pedestrian-only ferry—remains seasonal and unreliable during monsoon months. The bridge is expected to bring this travel time down to less than five minutes.
From both a design and sustainability standpoint, the bridge incorporates modern engineering with ecological sensitivity. It features a 100-metre-high stainless steel pylon, chosen specifically for its resilience against corrosive sea air, reducing the long-term maintenance footprint. More critically, the cable-stayed design limits the number of supporting pillars, helping to preserve the adjacent mangrove ecosystem—a rare balance between urban development and environmental preservation. On the Versova side, the alignment has been realigned to ensure minimal disruption to the coastal communities, especially local fisherfolk whose livelihoods depend on unimpeded access to the shoreline. Community feedback has played a role in shaping the current version of the plan, a notable shift towards participatory urban planning in Mumbai’s infrastructure projects.
The estimated cost of the bridge now stands at Rs 3,984 crore, with Rs 2,395 crore allocated to construction and the remainder directed towards land acquisition, traffic control, and administrative expenses. Importantly, the bridge will serve as a feeder route into the proposed Versova-Bhayandar Coastal Road, enhancing north-south mobility along Mumbai’s congested coastal belt and linking key western suburbs such as Malad and Kandivali more efficiently. For the fishing communities in Madh and surrounding areas, the bridge promises more than reduced travel time. Easier access to Versova will lower operational costs—especially for transporting ice and diesel—and improve access to schools, hospitals, and public services. The project has garnered consistent support from local residents, who see it as a long-overdue solution to decades of isolation and logistical hardship.
The Forest Department is currently reviewing the bridge’s final design, which integrates environmental buffers and safeguards. If clearance is granted as expected, the BMC hopes to commence construction by October. The project, which balances modern infrastructure with environmental and social priorities, reflects Mumbai’s evolving vision of a sustainable, equitable urban future. As Mumbai waits for the final green signal, the Madh-Versova Bridge stands poised to redefine not just mobility, but also the quality of life for thousands along the city’s often-overlooked coastal frontier.
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