Work on Mumbai’s first cable-stayed bridge being built by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over the Mahalaxmi railway tracks has reached nearly 45 percent completion, marking a major milestone in one of the city’s most ambitious infrastructure upgrades. Originally expected to be ready by March 2024, the project has now been rescheduled to December 2026 due to delays caused by encroachments, utilities, and tree relocations.
The bridge, anchored by a 70-metre-high pylon, aims to enhance east–west connectivity and decongest the Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali traffic corridors, two of Mumbai’s most congested urban stretches. Once operational, the link will streamline vehicular movement from the racecourse and Worli–Haji Ali areas toward the Coastal Road, reducing travel time and easing pressure on nearby routes. According to civic engineers, the bridge will start from Keshavrao Khadye (KK) Marg near the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, cross the Western Railway tracks, and conclude near Shirin Talkies on the eastern end. Spanning 736 metres in total, the bridge will include a 165-metre cable-stayed section, an 85-metre back span, and a 23-metre-wide deck accommodating four traffic lanes.
This project also marks the BMC’s first independent attempt to construct a cable-stayed bridge over an active railway corridor — a technically complex and logistically demanding task. “The original schedule was affected by multiple design changes and the relocation of underground utilities such as water channels, sewer lines, stormwater drains, and BEST cables,” a senior civic official explained. The total estimated cost of the project stands at ₹389 crore. The civic body plans to dismantle the existing bridge once the new structure becomes operational to maintain uninterrupted access throughout the construction phase. The revised schedule targets completion of the 90-metre western span by December 2025 and the 160-metre eastern span by September 2026, with approach roads built in parallel.
Urban infrastructure experts have praised the project’s design ambition but emphasised the need for tighter execution oversight. “Cable-stayed bridges not only provide aesthetic value but also serve as long-term mobility solutions in dense cityscapes like Mumbai. However, coordination among multiple civic and transport agencies will be crucial to avoid further delays,” an infrastructure planner noted. Once completed, the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge will stand as a key landmark in Mumbai’s evolving transport landscape, complementing major civic initiatives such as the Coastal Road, the Worli–Sewri connector, and the Metro network. Beyond its engineering significance, the bridge underscores Mumbai’s ongoing push towards sustainable, efficient, and well-integrated urban mobility infrastructure.
Mumbais Mahalaxmi Cable Bridge Project Reaches 45% Completion, Faces 2026 Deadline
