In a major boost to Mumbai’s transport infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved the construction of a new parallel bridge near Sion aimed at reducing congestion on one of the city’s busiest commuter routes between Thane and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
The proposed project, estimated to cost Rs 155 crore, seeks to address a longstanding bottleneck at the Sion junction, where heavy southbound traffic regularly slows movement during peak morning hours.
At present, the existing Sion flyover operates on a 2+1 lane configuration, with only a single lane available for vehicles heading towards South Mumbai. This arrangement often results in significant traffic build-up extending along the Eastern Express Highway.
To overcome this challenge, the civic body plans to construct an independent two-lane bridge adjacent to the existing structure. The new facility will provide dedicated lanes for southbound traffic, allowing smoother and faster movement towards the city’s commercial districts.
The project also aims to separate highway-bound vehicles from local traffic, reducing conflicts at merging points and improving overall traffic flow. Officials believe the redesigned corridor will help ease congestion not only at Sion but also in nearby areas such as Chunabhatti and Kurla.
Given the complexity of constructing infrastructure within a densely developed transport corridor, the BMC commissioned technical and structural assessments before proceeding. Experts from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) conducted feasibility studies and engineering evaluations, which cleared the way for the project’s next phase.
The civic body is now preparing to initiate the tendering process for construction.
Urban planners and real estate observers note that improved connectivity along the central corridor could benefit neighbourhoods such as Sion, Chembur and adjoining suburbs by reducing travel times and enhancing accessibility. Once completed, the bridge is expected to improve daily commuting between Thane and South Mumbai significantly.
Source: Magic Bricks
