December 13, 2025: One of Mumbai’s key urban infrastructure projects, the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge, is steadily progressing and is expected to become operational next year. Designed to significantly ease congestion in South Mumbai, the four-lane east–west connector has completed nearly 45 per cent of its construction, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The proposed bridge will begin at Keshavrao Khadye Marg on the western side of Mahalaxmi, cross over the railway tracks, and descend near Shirin Talkies on the eastern side. Once completed, it will serve as a vital link within the island city, improving east–west connectivity and reducing traffic bottlenecks in the area.
The project was approved in 2020 after the BMC assessed the condition of the existing east–west flyover at Mahalaxmi. The current structure, which dates back nearly a century, has deteriorated over time and is no longer adequate to handle present-day traffic volumes. To address this, civic authorities proposed a longer, wider and more modern bridge to replace it.
Unlike conventional flyovers that rely heavily on piling, the new structure is being built using a cable-stayed design. This approach was selected as piling work is not feasible over active railway tracks. The bridge will stretch 740 metres in length and span 23 metres in width, accommodating four vehicular lanes, double the capacity of the existing two-lane structure.
The project cost has been estimated at Rs 380 crore. The BMC is aiming to complete construction and open the bridge to the public by December 2026.
Explaining the broader objective of the project, Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), said, “The idea is to construct a state-of-the-art structure to ensure that motorists get direct connectivity to the coastal road. The upcoming bridge will be wider and will provide a smoother traffic movement that will decongest south Mumbai by a significant margin.”
Once operational, the bridge is expected to play a crucial role in improving traffic flow and strengthening Mumbai’s evolving transport network.
Source: The Indian Express
