January 23, 2026: Daily commuters travelling between the Western Express Highway (WEH) and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) may soon see an end to long traffic snarls, as the long-pending connector arm of the Santacruz–Chembur Link Road (SCLR) enters its final phase of construction. Once operational, the crucial link is expected to significantly decongest one of Mumbai’s busiest corridors and cut travel time by nearly 30 to 35 minutes in both directions.
The connector will offer a direct route from WEH to Mumbai University and onward to BKC, eliminating the need for motorists to navigate multiple congested arterial roads. Officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) confirmed that work on both key arms of the project is now in advanced stages and the connector is likely to open to traffic by March 2026.
An MMRDA official said, “Connector Arm 2, which uses the existing Vakola bridge to link the WEH to BKC at Level I, is currently undergoing deck slab work. Meanwhile, Connector Arm 3, which connects BKC to SCLR 1 at Level II, has only one remaining span of 54 metres left to be erected. Along with this, finishing works such as waterproofing, wearing coats, installation of anti-crash barriers, and painting are progressing across the stretch.”
According to the authority, around 85% of the physical work has already been completed. The project will be ready for commissioning once the final span is erected and the remaining finishing works are wrapped up. The target date for full commissioning has been set for March 31, 2026.
Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 207 crore, the 1.4-km-long connector comprises a 500-metre four-lane carriageway with a width of 17.2 metres and a 900-metre two-lane stretch measuring 8.5 metres wide. Upon completion, the new link is expected to provide seamless two-way connectivity between WEH and BKC, offering substantial relief to office-goers and easing pressure on surrounding road networks in Mumbai’s key commercial district.
