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Changing City: With 45% work complete, cable-stayed Mahalaxmi Bridge in South Mumbai to become operational next year

The proposed east-west bridge originates from Keshavrao Khadye Marg on the western side of Mahalaxmi, passes above railway tracks, and will drop near Shirin Talkies on the eastern side.

2 min readMumbaiUpdated: Dec 12, 2025 05:09 PM IST

Mumbai's crucial Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge project is 45% complete, aiming for a December 2026 operational deadline to replace the century-old structure. (File)

One of the key infrastructure projects in Mumbai – the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge, which is set to be a crucial connector in Mumbai’s island city, is set to become operational next year. The work of the four-lane bridge slated to decongest south Mumbai’s traffic is 45 per cent complete, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Why is a new bridge being constructed?

The proposal for constructing a cable-stayed bridge in Mahalaxmi got official approval in 2020. At present, there is an east-west flyover that passes above railway tracks in Mahalaxmi. However, considering the dilapidated state of the century-old structure, the BMC had proposed replacing the old structure with a longer and wider new bridge.

Key aspects of the bridge

The proposed east-west bridge originates from Keshavrao Khadye Marg on the western side of Mahalaxmi, passes above railway tracks, and will drop near Shirin Talkies on the eastern side. The BMC has opted for a cable-stayed option, instead of the conventional design rooted in piling work, as piling works are impractical for a structure planned above railway tracks.

The bridge will measure 740 metres in length and 23 metres in width, which will include four vehicular lanes that will allow smoother traffic movement. The present structure has only two vehicular lanes.

Cost and timeline:

The cost of the project has been pegged at Rs 380 crore. The BMC is eyeing a December 2026 deadline for opening the flyover to the public.

Administration speaks:

“The idea is to construct a state-of-the-art structure to ensure that motorists get direct connectivity to the coastal road. The upcoming bridge will be wider and will provide a smoother traffic movement that will decongest south Mumbai by a significant margin,” Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), told The Indian Express.

Pratip Acharya

Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai. Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in: Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting. City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region. Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis: National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019. State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019. Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis. Experience Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies: Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014). Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express. Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read More

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