Mumbai, a city known for its dynamic economy and sprawling urban landscape, is about to witness a significant transformation in its transport infrastructure. The much-awaited extension of the Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR) is poised to address one of the city’s most pressing issues—connectivity between its eastern and western suburbs. The elevated connector was supposed to be opened in April however gets extended further.
The vital infrastructure project, which comes under 'Mumbai in Minutes' initiative, will provide seamless connectivity for commuters travelling between the Eastern and Western Expressways, significantly improving traffic flow and accessibility across Mumbai.
While several phases of the SCLR and its extensions have already been opened, the final phase, which will directly connect to the Western Express Highway (WEH), has been the missing link. Currently, motorists travelling from Chembur or Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) towards the western suburbs must exit the SCLR at the Hans Bhugra Marg-WEH signal, navigate through the traffic signal at Vakola junction, and then proceed further.
To address this, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has planned the construction of an arm that will bypass these junctions and traffic signals, offering direct access to the Western Express Highway.
Once the northbound SCLR arm passing over WEH is completed, commuters will no longer have to face the congestion at the Hans Bhugra Marg-WEH junction and the busy Vakola junction, making their journey smoother and more efficient.
Current Alignment length: 1.9 km Actual length is 5.4 km, out of which 3.4 km is already opened and the remaining length is slated to be opened in April.
Project Benefits:
The SCLR extension is expected to ease traffic on the Western Express Highway. The project will ensure quicker access for people travelling from the Eastern Suburbs and Navi Mumbai to key destinations like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and the western suburbs.
Key Features of the SCLR Extension:
A standout feature of the SCLR extension is the 215-metre-long cable-stayed bridge that spans 25 metres above the Western Express Highway. This unique structure is Asia’s first cable-stayed bridge with a 100-metre sharp curvature, bypassing the Vakola Junction and directly landing on the Western Express Highway. This final link ensures a signal-free ride for commuters travelling between the Eastern and Western Express Highways, significantly improving traffic flow and reducing congestion.
Once completed, this extension promises to reduce travel time between the key commercial and residential hubs by a staggering 45 minutes. For decades, the western suburb of Santacruz and the eastern suburb of Chembur have struggled with inadequate transport links.
Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, MMRDA Commissioner, said the SCLR extension is more than just a road project—it represents a step towards redefining urban mobility in Mumbai. He explains, “SCLR embodies our ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ initiative, aiming to provide seamless connectivity between the city’s business districts and residential hubs. By reducing travel time and easing congestion at key junctions, this project will improve economic productivity, enhance fuel efficiency, and contribute to a sustainable urban future.”
The Need for the Project
The SCLR extension is part of a broader vision outlined by the MMRDA through the Comprehensive Transportation Study (CTS), conducted as part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s (MMR) infrastructure development plan. The study aims to prepare a comprehensive transport plan to meet the city’s needs through 2031. Among the study's key recommendations was the creation of faster and more efficient road corridors to link Mumbai with surrounding areas.
The extension of SCLR is one of the major interventions that will ease traffic congestion and improve inter-urban road networks. According to MMRDA officials, existing east-west link roads such as the existing SCLR, Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road (AGLR) and Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (IVLR) have reached their saturation limits, resulting in daily traffic jams and delays. The SCLR Extension, therefore, became a priority project to alleviate the increasing strain on these roads and improve connectivity for the entire region.
A Journey Towards Streamlined Traffic:
The original SCLR, which was opened in 2014, featured Mumbai’s first double-decker flyover. Connecting Kapadia Nagar on CST Road in the west to Amar Mahal Junction on the Eastern Express Highway, it was initially designed to provide a faster route between the city’s suburbs. However, the project quickly revealed its shortcomings as traffic congestion at various junctions, especially around the Vakola area, worsened.
In response to these issues, the MMRDA decided to extend the SCLR with a focus on bypassing the bottlenecks that plagued the original route. Construction on the extension project began in 2016, but delays, particularly related to defence land acquisition and negotiations with the BMC over compensation with the central government Ministry of defence (MoD) have slowed the project’s progress.
Despite these setbacks, the extension was undertaken and significant portions already completed.
While the extension is expected to provide much-needed relief, transport experts like Vivek Pai warn that the rapid increase in the number of vehicles on Mumbai's roads could offset the benefits of the SCLR extension in the long term. Pai argues that without regulations on vehicle ownership, infrastructure projects like these may only provide temporary solutions, leading to further congestion as more cars take to the streets.
“SCLR extension is a classic example of how the existing SCLR which was supposed to serve till 2050 was no more able to handle the traffic load and there was a need to construct an elevated corridor to overcome the bottleneck. However, construction of flyover, elevated roads, double deck bridges will not help to resolve the traffic problems. SCLR extension project will also be not able to serve the increasing traffic after a decade like the existing SCLR project. East west remains to be an important connectivity the upcoming Goregaon Mulund Link Road is also meant to east east west connectivity. So despite having multiple roads the traffic problem is getting worsened and therefore regulations on vehicle ownership is the need,” Pai stressed.
Improved Access and Direct Connectivity
The SCLR Extension promises to provide commuters with direct connectivity between the Western and Eastern Express Highways, cutting down travel time significantly and eliminating the need to navigate congested areas such as Vakola Junction. This critical infrastructure upgrade is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters, enhancing access to key business and residential hubs in the city.
The extension will also aid in bypassing traffic congestion in areas that are notorious for slow-moving traffic. With reduced congestion, commuters will enjoy smoother, more predictable travel across the city. Additionally, it will enhance the flow of goods and services, boosting the city’s economic output and productivity.
Once open, it will reduce travel time between the Eastern and Western Express Highways by approximately 45 minutes, improving access to critical areas such as the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
The Engineering Marvel Behind the Extension
At the heart of the SCLR Extension lies a remarkable engineering feat. The project features a cable-stayed bridge that spans 215 meters and rises 25 meters above the Western Express Highway, making it Asia's first cable-stayed bridge with a 100-meter sharp curvature.
The use of Orthotropic Steel Deck (OSD) technology—first introduced in India for the Atal Setu bridge—has ensured minimal disruption during construction while enhancing the bridge’s structural integrity on the busy Western Express Highway.
