The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a work order for the construction of the much-awaited cable-stayed flyover between Madh and Versova. The development comes six months after initial tenders were issued for the project, leading to a significant cost overrun.
The Versova Creek, an inlet of the Arabian Sea, will pass over the proposed cable-stayed bridge. The 2.06 km long and 27.5-metre wide project will have four lanes on the bridge, two on each side.
According to the Indian Express report, the cost of the flyover has now risen by 60 percent to Rs 3,246 crore, even though the tender was floated in March 2024.
APCO Infratech Pvt Ltd won the initial bid of Rs 2,029 crore. The revised cost has been adjusted for labor and material costs, changes in market rates, and other factors including casting yard rent and maintenance costs.
Currently, the only means to reach these areas is via a jetty or a link road, SV Road, or the Western Express Highway, which can take more than 45 minutes during peak hours. The jetty ferry service will also not operate during monsoon.
The new flyover will reduce travel time between Madh and Versova by about five minutes, offering a significant alternative to existing modes of transport. Civic officials have linked the increased expenses to fluctuations in raw material prices and other economic factors.
This ambitious project faced several hurdles initially, almost ten years ago. In 2020, the BMC finalized the blueprint, but the project needed stringent environmental clearances to combine it through the coastal regulatory zone and dense mangrove cover.
In March 2022, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) ordered the BMC to propose an alternative to minimize the damage to mangroves. The civic body tried to address the environmental concerns, but this directive further delayed the project.
In January 2024, the BMC obtained the necessary approvals after extensive changes and environmental considerations. With these approvals, construction tenders were issued, leading to the project getting approved recently.
The flyover project has also faced opposition from the local fishermen community in Versova-Madh. The fishermen were concerned that the proposed bridge would disrupt boat parking and impact their livelihood.
The project is expected to be completed in three years, improving connectivity in Mumbai’s western suburbs.