Mumbai: BMC Awaits Key Approvals For Cable-Stayed Bridge Connecting Versova And Madh Island

Nearly a year after the BMC secured Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change for the cable-stayed bridge connecting Madh and Versova island in the western suburbs, crucial approvals remain pending. The civic body is still awaiting key permissions from the Forest Department and the High Court (HC), as the project will affect mangroves in the region. Once completed, the bridge will reduce travel time, cutting the commute from 1.5 hours to just 20 minutes.

First proposed in 2015, the bridge project received blueprint approval after five years of planning. Designed as a part cable-stayed structure, the bridge will span 2.06 kilometers across Versova Creek, with a width of 27.5 meters. It will feature four lanes, two in each direction, and connect Amaranth Road, near Versova Koliwada, to Madh Jetty. The contract for the project was awarded on August 29, 2024. The total estimated cost of Rs. 3,990 crore includes construction, three years of maintenance, casting yard rental, and provisions for fluctuations in labor and material costs. The bridge is expected to be completed within 42 months, including six months to acquire the mandatory environmental clearances and NOCs.

"The CRZ clearance was a major milestone for the project, as the region contains mangroves that need to be cleared. This process requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department and approval from the Bombay HC as well. Once we receive the necessary permission from the Forest Department, the report will be submitted to the HC for final approval. After that, we can begin the preliminary work on the project," said a senior civic official. 

The proposed road alignment for the cable-stayed bridge passes through a mangrove cover and falls within the Coastal Regulation Zone, prompting the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) to advise the BMC to explore alternative routes to minimise damage to the mangroves. After revising the design to address these concerns, the BMC secured clearances from the MCZMA in February 2023. Currently, there is no direct road link between the two areas, which are 18.6 kms apart and separated by Versova Creek. As a result, commuters are reliant on ferry services, which are suspended for four months during the monsoon season, causing inconvenience to daily travelers.