The Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR) flyover is finally nearing completion, with 95% of the work done and a projected opening set for May 2024.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) confirmed the update, bringing relief to thousands of daily commuters caught in persistent congestion between Santacruz and the Western Express Highway (WEH). Operational since 2014, the SCLR has been a key arterial route connecting eastern and western suburbs — from Kalina’s CST Road to Chembur’s Amar Mahal junction on the Eastern Express Highway. It plays a crucial role in connecting areas like BKC and Navi Mumbai. However, the abrupt ending of the flyover near Santacruz has long led to bottlenecks at the Vakola junction, prompting MMRDA to initiate the extension project in 2016. Originally scheduled for completion by 2019, the extension has seen years of delay owing to multiple challenges. These included design revisions — particularly a switch to a cable-stayed bridge structure — difficulties in land acquisition, and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most recently, in 2024, the project saw another pause as permissions from the Mumbai Traffic Police were delayed due to electoral procedures, only being granted in December 2023. As a result of these delays, the cost of the project has ballooned from its original estimate of ₹450 crore to nearly ₹650 crore. Despite the hurdles, the extension is now almost ready, and officials are aiming for a pre-monsoon opening. The new stretch is expected to significantly decongest traffic near Santacruz and improve connectivity to the WEH.
Commuters and urban planners alike view the completion of the SCLR-WEH link as a major infrastructural milestone for Mumbai’s overloaded road network. If opened on schedule, it would mark a long-overdue step forward in addressing the city’s east-west transit challenges.
