Commuters travelling between Thane and Navi Mumbai could soon benefit from a new cross-creek connection, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated the process for constructing a six-lane bridge linking Kopri in Thane East with Patni in Navi Mumbai.
The proposed bridge, spanning approximately 1.4 kilometres, is expected to reduce traffic pressure on the existing Airoli-Mulund Creek Bridge and Kalwa Creek Bridge, which currently serve as the primary road links between the two cities. MMRDA invited bids for the project on Tuesday, marking the next step in its implementation.
The bridge will originate from Mith Bandar Road in Kopri, located around 750 metres from Thane railway station, and extend across Thane Creek before connecting to Airoli Knowledge City Road in Navi Mumbai. The project is designed to provide direct access between Thane Station Road and the heavily used Thane-Belapur Road corridor.
Planned as a six-lane cable-stayed structure, the bridge is expected to be completed within three-and-a-half years, with authorities targeting commissioning by 2030.
“The Thane-Belapur Road has witnessed significant IT and industrial developments along it, and further provides access to JNPT, Nashik Highway, and other important nodes,” an MMRDA official said. “There has been a significant increase in traffic on the creek bridges which connect to it, which is why this bridge is needed.”
Traffic assessments conducted for the project indicate that nearly 51,000 vehicles use Thane-Belapur Road daily, while close to 30,000 vehicles travel across the Airoli-Mulund Creek Bridge each day. Based on projected demand, MMRDA estimates that more than 1,900 vehicles could use the new crossing every hour during peak periods.
The bridge will also form part of a larger regional transport network, linking in the future with the proposed Thane Coastal Road and CIDCO’s elevated corridor to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. Authorities believe the project will strengthen connectivity, improve freight movement and provide an alternative route across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Source: The Indian Express
