Mumbai's Upcoming Cable-Stayed Bridge To Connect Madh And Versova In Five Minutes, Completion Slated For 2027

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has greenlit the issuance of work orders for the highly anticipated cable-stayed flyover between Madh and Versova. This development comes six months after the initial tenders were floated for the project, which has experienced a significant cost escalation.

The proposed cable-stayed bridge will pass above Versova Creek, an inlet of the Arabian Sea. The project, which spans 2.06 kilometres in length and 27.5 metres wide, will have four lanes on the bridge, two on each side.

Originally estimated at Rs 1,800 crore when tenders were issued in March 2024, the cost of the flyover has surged by 60 per cent to Rs 3,246 crore, according to an Indian Express report.

APCO Infratech Private Limited emerged as the winning bidder with an initial bid of Rs 2,029 crore. The revised cost reflects adjustments for changes in market rates, including labour and material costs, and additional factors such as rent for casting yards and maintenance expenses.

Currently, these areas are accessible only by a jetty or through a longer route via Link Road, SV Road, or the Western Express Highway, which can take over 45 minutes during peak hours. The jetty ferry service is also suspended during the monsoon season.

The new flyover will significantly reduce travel time between Madh and Versova to just five minutes, offering a much-needed alternative to the existing transportation options. Civic officials attribute the increased cost to fluctuations in raw material prices and other economic factors.

The ambitious project, initially proposed nearly a decade ago, faced multiple obstacles before gaining traction. The BMC finalised the blueprint in 2020, but the project’s alignment through dense mangrove cover and a coastal regulatory zone necessitated stringent environmental clearances.

In March 2022, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) instructed the BMC to propose an alternate alignment to mitigate damage to the mangroves. This directive delayed the project further as the civic body worked to address environmental concerns.

After extensive revisions and environmental considerations, the BMC secured the necessary clearances in January 2024. With these approvals in hand, tenders for the construction were floated, leading to the recent awarding of the project.

The flyover project has also encountered opposition from the local fishing community in Versova-Madh. Fishermen expressed concerns that the proposed bridge would impede boat parking and affect their livelihoods.

The project is expected to be completed within three years, further enhancing connectivity in Mumbai's western suburbs.