Travel between Madh Island and Versova could become significantly quicker with the proposed ₹2,395 crore Madh Island-Versova bridge across Malad Creek. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to begin construction after the monsoon, subject to the necessary clearances, and aims to complete the project by 2029.
The proposed cable-stayed bridge is expected to provide a direct, year-round road connection between the two western Mumbai suburbs. At present, residents have to depend on a long road route or a seasonal jetty service.
Madh Island and Versova are separated by Malad Creek and currently do not have a direct road link. Commuters travelling between the two areas typically cover around 18–20 km by road, with the journey taking anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
A jetty service offers a shorter alternative, but it is available for only about eight months of the year and is suspended during the monsoon. Limited service frequency also makes it less convenient for regular commuters.
Once operational, the proposed bridge could reduce the journey to around 10 minutes, providing a more dependable connection throughout the year.
The proposed Madh Island-Versova bridge will be a cable-stayed structure spanning Malad Creek. The project is planned with four vehicular lanes and a wider carriageway to accommodate increasing traffic in Mumbai’s western suburbs.
Key project details:
The bridge is expected to improve connectivity for residents of Madh Island and surrounding areas while easing access to schools, hospitals and other essential services.
The Madh Island-Versova connectivity project has a long history. The proposal was first envisaged under the BMC’s Development Plan model in 1967. It was formally put on paper in 2015, while the final blueprint was prepared in 2020.
Work orders for the project were issued in 2024, marking a major step towards implementation.
The BMC has already undertaken preliminary activities, including soil testing and surveys. However, major civil construction is yet to begin.
The start of construction is dependent on the required clearance from the Bombay High Court. The latest hearing was held in July, with another hearing expected by September.
If the necessary approvals are secured, the civic body intends to move ahead with the main construction work after the monsoon.
The BMC has said the bridge has been designed to limit its impact on the surrounding environment.
Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), said the alignment has been planned to minimise environmental damage. He also noted that the cable-stayed design would allow the piling work to be carried out on a limited scale.
The proposed bridge could significantly change daily commuting patterns in Mumbai’s western suburbs. A direct road connection would reduce dependence on the existing circuitous route and provide residents with faster access to key services and neighbouring areas.
For people living on Madh Island and nearby island communities, the project could also offer a reliable alternative during the monsoon, when the existing jetty service is unavailable.
If construction begins as planned and progresses without major delays, the Madh Island-Versova bridge could open by 2029, cutting a journey that currently takes up to 90 minutes to roughly 10 minutes.