Mumbai: South Mumbai’s traffic woes are set to ease with the construction of two new bridges—a cable-stayed Road Over Bridge (ROB) and a flyover—connecting Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali via Saat Raasta. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is expediting the project to complete the much-needed V-shaped missing link between these locations.

The initiative comes as a response to the deteriorating condition of the century-old Mahalaxmi bridge, currently the only connection between Haji Ali and Mahalaxmi. This aging structure struggles to handle the heavy traffic load, creating a major bottleneck in the city’s transport network. To address this, the BMC has undertaken the construction of these two new bridges, aimed at streamlining vehicular movement.

Key Features of the Project

The new infrastructure will significantly enhance connectivity by forming a V-shaped route, with Saat Raasta as the midpoint.

• Cable-Stayed ROB: The 803-meter-long bridge will start from Keshav Rao Khadye Marg near Mahalaxmi station, extending eastward over railway tracks and the flyover before merging at Saat Raasta. This four-lane ROB, with a width of 23 meters and a height of 63 meters, is designed to improve traffic flow.
• Flyover: The second structure, a 639-meter-long flyover, will extend westward from Saat Raasta over the railway tracks, ending near Dr. E Moses Road, close to Haji Ali and adjacent to Mahalaxmi Race Course. This flyover will also accommodate four lanes of traffic.

Impact on Traffic and Commuters

Once operational, these new bridges are expected to drastically cut travel time between Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali. The current commute, which takes 25-45 minutes during peak hours, will be reduced to just 5-7 minutes, significantly easing congestion in South Mumbai.

With a combined budget of Rs 497 crore, the project is being executed at a rapid pace. The cable-stayed bridge alone accounts for Rs 400 crore, while the second flyover is estimated to cost Rs 97 crore. The BMC has set a target to make the link operational by October 2026.

BMC’s Take on the Project

“At present, the century-old bridge is the only connection between Worli Haji Ali and Mahalaxmi, causing persistent congestion. These two new bridges will not only complete the missing link between Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali but also provide a direct connection to Saat Raasta,” said Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects).

With Mumbai’s traffic burden growing each year, this ambitious project is expected to be a game-changer for commuters, enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time in one of the city’s busiest corridors.