The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has finally obtained the environmental nod for its ₹2,395-crore cable-stayed bridge linking Madh Island and Versova. This new 2.06-km bridge will reduce travel time between the two locations from the current 45–60 minutes during peak hours to just five minutes.
The project will bridge a critical gap between Madh Island and Versova, as these two bustling areas are not directly connected by any road. Commuters here are reliant solely on seasonal ferry services, which are unavailable during the monsoon months.
BMC balances development and ecology
The project, now 33% costlier than initial estimates at ₹2,395 crore due to inflationary pressures, represents one of Mumbai’s most significant infrastructure leaps since its original conception in the 1967 Development Plan. The four-lane cable-stayed bridge will traverse the ecologically sensitive Madh Creek, incorporating careful environmental safeguards, including replanting three hectares of mangroves to offset the 2.75 hectares required for construction.
With final approvals pending from the Bombay High Court due to the effect on protected mangroves, the BMC anticipates starting construction this year for completion within 36 months. The finished bridge will significantly shrink the existing 22 km detour to a direct 1.5 km route.
