This is an archive article published on February 6, 2025
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Dropped in 2024, Rs 3,984 crore Madh-Versova bridge makes a comeback into BMC budget this year
In this year’s budget, the BMC has made a token provision of Rs 19.75 crore for the Rs 3,984 crore cable-stayed bridge project connecting Madh Island with Versova.
The idea of constructing this bridge was mooted in 2015 and tenders were floated in 2019, following which contractors were also finalised. (File)
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) much-anticipated cable-stayed bridge project connecting Madh Island with Versova in Mumbai’s western suburbs has yet again found its way to the civic budget this year after it ‘went missing’ from last year’s budget. Pegged at a total cost of Rs 3,984 crore, the civic authorities also made a token provision of Rs 19.75 crore for this bridge in this year’s budget.
The idea of constructing this bridge was mooted in 2015 and tenders were floated in 2019, following which contractors were also finalised. However, the project did not take off as the Union environment ministry directed the civic authorities to come up with a new design that would reduce the impact on the flora and fauna.
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A new design was created in consultation with the local fisherfolk communities who had initially opposed the project and sent to the ministry for its approval. It was only last year that the BMC received environmental clearances from the ministry.
“The project is on track now. Two contractors will be executing the work under a joint venture. We issued Letters of Approval immediately after they secured the bids. Next week, we will be holding a meeting with them, following which final work orders will be issued and work can be started,” Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner, told The Indian Express.
The proposed cable-stayed bridge will pass above the Versova Creek, which is an inlet of the Arabian Sea. Even though both Versova and Madh are located in the western suburbs, there is no direct road connectivity between the two places and people use the ferry service for their daily conveyance.
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However, the ferry service remains suspended for four months during the monsoon. Besides this, the only available mode of commute is a 22 km route between Madh Island and Versova through the Western Express Highway (WEH) or S V Road which usually takes 45-60 minutes during peak hours.
The cable-stayed flyover will be 1.5 km long and 27.5 m wide. There will be four lanes on the bridge, with two lanes on each side. Civic officials also maintained that to ensure minimum damage to the mangroves, temporary culverts will be created during construction works.
The idea of constructing this bridge was mooted in 2015 and tenders were floated in 2019, following which contractors were also finalised. (File) 
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