July 25, 2025: More than five decades after it was first proposed in Mumbai’s 1967 Development Plan, the Madh–Versova bridge is on the brink of becoming a reality. The Maharashtra state government has submitted a request to the Deputy Director General of Forests (Central), seeking final environmental clearance for the long-awaited project.
Once constructed, the bridge will dramatically cut travel time between Madh and Versova from 90 minutes to just five, with the current 22-kilometre route reduced to a mere 1.5 kilometres. The proposed 2.06-kilometre bridge, which will span the Versova Creek, will feature a part cable-stayed design and be 27.5 metres wide. It will carry four lanes of traffic—two in each direction—connecting Amaranth Road near Versova Koliwada to Madh Jetty.
The project contract was awarded on August 29, 2024, with a total estimated cost of Rs 3,990 cr. This includes construction, a three-year maintenance period, casting yard rental, and provisions to accommodate material and labour cost fluctuations. The bridge is slated for completion within 42 months, factoring in six months for environmental clearances and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Following all necessary state-level approvals, the Revenue and Forest Department formally recommended the project to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on July 21. A senior civic official noted that three hectares of alternative land have been identified to compensate for the required 2.75 hectares, and that three new saplings will be planted for every tree felled.
The bridge alignment passes through mangrove-rich terrain within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) initially urged the BMC to explore alternate alignments to reduce ecological disruption. A revised design addressing these concerns was approved by MCZMA in February 2023. Currently, commuters depend on ferry services, which remain suspended during the monsoon, causing major inconvenience.
Source: The Free Press Journal
