Centre Clears Rs 2,395-Crore Madh–Versova Bridge Project, To Transform Mumbai’s Coastal Connectivity

The central government has granted environmental clearance to the long-awaited Rs 2,395-crore Madh–Versova bridge project, which will connect the Madh peninsula to mainland Versova across the Madh Creek, the Hindustan Times reported.

The 2.5-km cable-stayed bridge has received in-principle approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), paving the way for its construction.

Originally proposed in Mumbai’s 1967 Development Plan, the project moved forward last year when tenders were floated in March and a work order was issued in September.

Once completed, the bridge will reduce travel time between Versova and Madh from 90 minutes to just 5 minutes, eliminating the need to take the 22-km detour via Link Road, SV Road, Western Express Highway, or Malwani.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry and Mumbai North MP Piyush Goyal played a key role in expediting clearances for the project.

“The Madh–Versova bridge is set to become a landmark of modern engineering excellence, delivering faster, safer and sustainable connectivity that will transform commuting across Mumbai,” said Goyal.

The project has already secured permissions from the Union Forest Department and the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority.

A final approval from the Bombay High Court is still pending before full-scale work begins.

The bridge alignment was revised and finalised in 2020 following objections from the local Koli fishing community.

Construction is expected to begin within the next few months and will take approximately three years to complete.

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