July 30, 2025: Mumbai’s much-anticipated cable-stayed bridge, forming a key segment of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension, has encountered further delays due to persistent monsoon rains and an unexpected technical fault. Initially scheduled to open by the end of July, the project has now been pushed to August as critical finishing work remains pending.
The bridge, which stretches across the Western Express Highway, is designed to ease traffic congestion by providing a direct link between the Eastern and Western Express Highways. Its completion is particularly significant for decongesting areas like BKC, Vakola, and improving access to the international airport. However, ongoing rainfall and the discovery of an electrical malfunction have stalled final works such as lighting installation, surface painting, and system checks.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is overseeing the project, cited adverse weather as the main impediment. According to officials, these tasks can only be completed during dry conditions and should take roughly a week once the weather stabilises. Earlier this month, the bridge was briefly opened for trial but had to be closed after the electrical fault was detected.
Despite these setbacks, the structural aspects of the bridge are complete, including testing, landing ramps, and safety barriers. The cable-stayed arm features India’s first orthotropic steel deck with a rigid curve, engineered to improve traffic flow at key bottlenecks such as Hans Bhugra Marg and the Vakola flyover.
The bridge, part of a Rs 650 crore project (up from the initial Rs 450 crore due to design changes and inflation), also incorporates sustainable features aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Once operational, it will enhance connectivity between residential and commercial hubs and facilitate smoother movement of goods across the city—signalling a major leap in Mumbai’s infrastructure and urban mobility.
Source: Urban Acres
