Lokhandwala-Yari Road Bridge Faces Approval Roadblock
Mumbai’s urban infrastructure expansion has encountered yet another setback, as the highly anticipated bridge connecting Lokhandwala to Yari Road remains in limbo. Nearly a year after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a work order for this crucial ₹42 crore project, progress has been stymied due to regulatory hurdles that are yet to be cleared. The delay, caused by pending approvals such as the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the state forest department and traffic permissions, has led to growing concerns regarding the city’s infrastructure development trajectory.
This proposed bridge, which aims to alleviate congestion and reduce travel time for commuters in the Versova region, was expected to serve as an alternative route to the much-awaited Versova-Bandra Sea Link. With the completion of the bridge, travel time for local residents was projected to plummet from the current 30 minutes to a mere 10 minutes, bringing much-needed relief to the traffic-choked roads of the area. However, environmental considerations have raised serious concerns. The bridge’s alignment passes through a mangrove area, and the removal of 48 mangrove trees as part of the construction has sparked significant opposition. While BMC officials assure that the project is on track pending approvals, the fact remains that without the forest department’s clearance, construction cannot commence. Additionally, the local ward office is preparing to remove encroachments on the Lokhandwala side, which remains a major bottleneck.
This bridge, which has been under discussion for over two decades, is seen as a critical piece of Mumbai’s infrastructure puzzle. However, bureaucratic delays and environmental concerns continue to hamper its timely completion. The bridge, once operational, is expected to span 393.2 meters and feature a 110-meter steel arch over the Kavathe Creek, with approach roads on both sides. The project, which has been in the pipeline since 2002, has experienced multiple delays and legal challenges, further exacerbating the timeline for this much-needed urban development. As the city grapples with worsening traffic congestion, the continued delays to the Lokhandwala-Yari Road bridge emphasise the need for streamlined approvals and faster decision-making in critical infrastructure projects. With growing pressure to complete this bridge, the BMC must expedite the process to meet its goal of reducing travel time and easing traffic in the region. The Mumbai real estate market, already grappling with delayed projects, watches closely, as the future of urban connectivity hinges on overcoming such bureaucratic roadblocks.
