Two new bridges, a flyover and a cable-stayed Road Over Bridge (ROB), would link Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali via Saat Raasta, providing major traffic relief in South Mumbai. In order to solve one of the main traffic jams in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is expediting the project to build a vital V-shaped missing connection.
The initiative comes in response to the deteriorating condition of the century-old Mahalaxmi Bridge, which currently serves as the only connection between Haji Ali and Mahalaxmi. Over the years, this ageing structure has struggled to handle increasing traffic, leading to congestion and delays. To resolve this issue, the BMC has undertaken the construction of these two modern bridges to enhance connectivity and improve traffic flow.
Saat Raasta will be near the middle of the V-shaped route formed by the new infrastructure. Beginning at Keshav Rao Khadye Marg, close to Mahalaxmi station, the 803-meter cable-stayed ROB will stretch eastward across the flyover and railway tracks before joining at Saat Raasta. With its four lanes, 23-meter width, and 63-meter height, the ROB is expected to greatly simplify traffic flow. The second building, a flyover that is 639 meters long, would stretch westward from Saat Raasta, crossing railway tracks before coming to a conclusion near Dr. E Moses Road, which is near Haji Ali and Mahalaxmi Race Course. In order to handle traffic, this flyover will also have four lanes.
Upon completion, the new bridges are expected to drastically reduce travel time between Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali. Currently, commuters spend 25-45 minutes navigating this stretch during peak hours, but with the new link, the journey will take only 5-7 minutes. The project, which has a combined budget of Rs 497 crore, includes an allocation of Rs 400 crore for the cable-stayed bridge and Rs 97 crore for the flyover. The BMC aims to make the link operational by October 2026.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Mahalaxmi emphasised the significance of the project by saying, “At the moment, the century-old bridge is the only connection between Worli Haji Ali and Mahalaxmi, causing persistent congestion.” In addition to completing the gap between Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali, these two new bridges will offer a direct route to Saat Raasta.
This massive project is anticipated to revolutionise commuters’ lives by greatly enhancing connectivity and relieving traffic in one of Mumbai’s busiest thoroughfares, as the city’s traffic load grows yearly.
Source: Pune Pulse
