Mumbai: A significant ongoing project highlighted was the extension of the Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR), which is claimed by the construction authority MMRDA to be 95% complete and is expected to open in May 2024. This extension, which has faced numerous delays since 2019 and now potentially into 2025, is eagerly awaited by commuters hoping for a pre-monsoon completion.
The SCLR, operational since 2014, serves as a crucial link between Mumbai's eastern and western suburbs, connecting Kapadia Nagar on CST Road, Kalina, to Amar Mahal junction in Chembur linked to the Eastern Express Highway. It is widely used by travelers commuting to and from Navi Mumbai and BKC, but the distance from the SCLR's ending point in Santacruz to the Western Express Highway (WEH) adds to traffic congestion, particularly at the Vakola junction.
To address these congestion issues, MMRDA initiated work on the extension of the flyover in 2016, originally slated for completion in 2019. Various challenges arose, including changes to the design involving a cable-stayed bridge, land acquisition hurdles, and interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, work was further stalled by electoral processes, which delayed necessary permissions from Mumbai traffic police, only granted in December of the previous year. Consequently, the project’s budget escalated from ₹450 crore to ₹650 crore.
Overall, the completion of the SCLR extension represents a critical infrastructure effort for improving connectivity in Mumbai.
The bridge's engineering complexity is highlighted by the cable-stayed segment measuring 215 mm, featuring a steep 70-degree curve on the Orthotropic Steel Deck (OSD). This section reaches 25 meters above the ground and 9 meters above the Vakola flyover, effectively creating a double-decker structure. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) claims this curvature marks a first for Asia. A prominent Y-shaped pylon provides the necessary support. In February, MMRDA reported the successful launch of this deck.
Anil Upadhyay, a regular user of the SCLR, noted the extension towards the Western Express Highway (WEH) will significantly benefit travelers, alleviating traffic congestion at the notoriously problematic Vakola junction. He expressed that residents and commuters in Vakola would particularly appreciate the development, as the previous traffic delays hindered emergency services and affected students traveling to exams. The new extension aims to streamline travel between the eastern and western suburbs.
The extension will conclude near the Panbai International School in Santacruz on the WEH, enhancing connectivity to the domestic airport. However, there are concerns among commuters about potential traffic increases at this point, since it will connect with traffic from the Vakola flyover. Upadhyay acknowledged the likelihood of heightened congestion but remained optimistic, suggesting that effective traffic management by authorities during peak hours could mitigate issues.
