Mumbai News: Final Phase Of SCLR Extension Set To Open, Promises 45-Minute Travel Time Cut Between East And West

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is set to open the final phase of the Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR) Extension, marking a significant step in resolving East-West connectivity issues in the city. As per a senior official, some final touch up work is ongoing and once get completed it will be opened for traffic.

While earlier stretches of the SCLR and its extensions have been operational for some time, the last segment a northbound flyover arm linking directly to the Western Express Highway (WEH) is in its final stages and will soon be open to motorists. This key link aims to ease the current bottleneck at the Hans Bhugra Marg-WEH signal and the congested Vakola junction, streamlining travel from Chembur and the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to the western suburbs.

Currently, drivers must exit the SCLR at Hans Bhugra Marg and navigate through traffic signals to access WEH. The new elevated arm will bypass these choke points, offering a smoother and faster commute.

The flyover is expected to reduce travel time between Chembur and BKC by up to 45 minutes and cut the journey between the Eastern and Western Express Highways by around 35 minutes. It also promises improved access to key destinations like BKC and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, contributing to fuel savings and reduced emissions.

A major highlight of the project is a 215-meter-long cable-stayed bridge, standing 25 meters above WEH and 10.5 meters wide. Notably, it is Asia’s first cable-stayed bridge featuring a 100-meter sharp curvature.

The extension is part of MMRDA’s larger vision under the ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ initiative, aiming to link major residential and commercial nodes across the city. With this final piece nearing completion, the SCLR Extension is poised to become a critical corridor, bridging mobility gaps and significantly enhancing traffic flow across Mumbai.