Mumbai: Commuters between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are poised to experience significant relief from traffic congestion with the imminent opening of the Thane Creek Bridge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate one of the two Thane Creek bridges later this year during his visit to Mumbai for the inauguration of the Metro Line 3 from Aarey to Bandra-Kurla Complex, according to recent reports.
An official from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) revealed, “The north-bound carriageway, which spans three lanes and facilitates travel from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, is nearing completion. We plan to open this section later this month, with final touches being applied.” The second bridge is anticipated to be operational by February 2025. The twin-bridge project, initiated by MSRDC in 2020 with an estimated budget of ₹559 crore, is being executed by the renowned construction firm L&T. The new bridge will alleviate the current bottleneck at the Vashi end, where motorists are currently limited to a single bridge. The structure spans 1.84 kilometres, complemented by approach roads totalling 1.22 kilometres. Additionally, new toll booths have been constructed to manage traffic flow.
In a parallel development, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region is also advancing the Thane Integral Ring Metro Project Corridor. This ambitious 29-kilometre corridor will traverse the western periphery of Thane city, bordered by the Ulhas River and Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The tendering process for this project is set to commence shortly, with an estimated cost of ₹12,200 crore. Completion is projected for 2029. The Thane Integral Ring Metro Corridor aims to enhance connectivity between major business hubs and offer a robust transportation option for a significant number of commuters. This development underscores the ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and ease travel in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
