Changing City: Mumbai’s Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road extension project nears completion
The SCLR extension is expected to ease traffic on Western Express Highway and ensure quicker access for people travelling from the Eastern Suburbs and Navi Mumbai to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and the western suburbs.
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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. (Express Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)After nearly nine years of construction, the much-awaited extension of the Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) is set to be completed by April 30. 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.
Project Details:
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.
Administration speaks:
“The Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) is not just an infrastructure project; it is an engineering marvel that redefines urban mobility in Mumbai. With Asia’s first cable-stayed bridge featuring a 100-metre sharp curvature and the innovative use of Orthotropic Steel Deck (OSD) technology—first introduced in India for the Atal Setu—this project showcases cutting-edge engineering. The success of OSD in Atal Setu has proven its efficiency, and we are now leveraging it in the SCLR to enhance structural integrity and minimize disruption during construction. More importantly, SCLR is a key part of our ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ initiative, providing seamless East-West connectivity between the city’s thriving business districts and residential hubs. By significantly reducing travel time and decongesting key junctions, the SCLR will boost economic productivity, improve fuel efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable urban future,” Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Commissioner, MMRDA.
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