The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has approved the construction of a 1.5-km cable-stayed bridge linking Marve to Manori, Gorai, and Uttan. Currently, the lack of direct road connectivity forces motorists to take a 29-km detour via Mira Bhayander, a journey that can take up to two hours during peak traffic.
The new four-lane bridge will slash this journey to just a few minutes, offering direct access between these coastal areas that are currently connected only by ferry services.
The bridge is facing environmental challenges–
The bridge, to be constructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will significantly cut travel time, providing a direct link and reducing the distance to just 1.5 km. However, the project comes with environmental concerns. The MCZMA noted that 45 mangrove trees will be affected, mandating a compensatory mangrove plantation three times the affected area at Palghar’s Virathan Budruk.
Local residents and environmentalists have raised objections, citing potential damage to the ecology and traditional livelihoods in areas like Dharavi Beth and Gorai. To address these, the MCZMA has set strict conditions, including obtaining permissions from the High Court and the mangrove protection cell, as well as implementing a mangrove densification plan. If executed responsibly, the bridge could transform connectivity while balancing ecological concerns.
