September 8, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has secured long-awaited clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the construction of a cable-stayed flyover linking Madh Island and Versova in Mumbai’s western suburbs.
First proposed in 2015, the project promises to slash travel time between the two areas from 45–60 minutes during peak hours to just five minutes. At present, commuters either depend on ferries—which are unreliable during the monsoon—or endure a lengthy detour via Link Road, SV Road, or the Western Express Highway.
The 2.06-kilometre bridge will span the Marve Creek, a designated Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). This necessitated multiple environmental approvals and revisions to the alignment to minimise ecological impact. Originally delayed by environmental and community concerns, the plan faced objections from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority and the local Koli fishing community. To address these issues, BMC redesigned the bridge so that the entire structure will be cable-stayed, thereby reducing the need for piling and safeguarding mangroves as well as fishing routes.
Tenders were floated in March 2023, with work orders issued in September. The estimated cost of the project has now escalated to ₹2,395 crore—around 33% higher than the initial ₹1,800 crore—owing to increased labour charges, market-linked material costs, and GST.
With all major permissions secured, including those from the forest department and the state coastal authority, the BMC is preparing to submit its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the Bombay High Court for final approval.
Construction is expected to commence by the end of this year, with a targeted completion period of three years. Once operational, the Madh–Versova flyover will provide seamless connectivity for residents while marking a major milestone in Mumbai’s coastal infrastructure development.
