Cable-Stayed Bridge To Cut Mahabaleshwar–Konkan Travel By 3 Hours: A Game-Changer For Tourism

In a major infrastructural development aimed at boosting tourism and connectivity, the Government of Maharashtra has approved the construction of a new cable-stayed bridge to link the Konkan coast with Western Maharashtra. The project, inspired by Mumbai’s iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link, will significantly reduce travel time and distance between the two popular regions.

Tourists currently have several routes to travel from Western Maharashtra to Konkan, but long travel hours remain a challenge. While Konkan is renowned for its serene beaches, Western Maharashtra offers scenic mountain ranges and destinations like Mahabaleshwar. The new bridge will directly connect Tapola in Satara district to Gadvali Ahir in Ratnagiri, cutting the travel distance by 50 kilometers and saving nearly two to three hours of journey time.

The bridge will span the picturesque Koyna Valley and pass through the Raghuveer Ghat in Khed taluka, offering travelers breathtaking views of the Sahyadri mountain range. Once completed, it will provide an alternative to the winding and time-consuming Ambenali Ghat route via Poladpur. Tourists from Ratnagiri will be able to travel through the new bridge to Tapola and onward to Satara via the Kas Plateau, making their journey faster and more scenic.

This will be the first cable-stayed bridge in Western Maharashtra. It will be 540 meters long and 14 meters wide, featuring a unique 43-meter-high viewing gallery in the center. The gallery is expected to become a major tourist attraction, offering panoramic views of sunrises and sunsets over the Koyna backwaters and Sahyadri hills.

In addition to the main structure, a second bridge is also under construction on the Bamnoli–Aapti route. This will shorten the distance between Tapola and Satara by 10 to 15 kilometers and benefit both locals and tourists.

Officials say the dual-bridge initiative will bring a “revolution in travel” across the region. Besides reducing physical distances, it is also expected to boost tourism and stimulate local economies.

Construction is currently underway, and the project is being closely monitored to ensure timely completion.