The long-delayed extension of the Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR), designed to connect directly to the Western Express Highway (WEH), has been reported to be nearly complete, with 95% of the construction work said to be finished. Officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have indicated that efforts are being made to open the flyover extension within May, ahead of the onset of the monsoon.
Originally opened in 2014, the SCLR was constructed to link the eastern suburb of Chembur with Kalina in the west, easing travel between the Eastern and Western Express Highways. The route soon became one of the city’s busiest corridors, used heavily by those travelling between Navi Mumbai, the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), and the domestic airport. However, the absence of a direct connection to the northbound Western Express Highway was considered a major shortcoming, as vehicles were forced to navigate the congested Vakola junction after descending onto Hans Burga Marg.
To address this issue, an extension of the flyover was proposed and work was initiated in 2016. The initial deadline was set for 2019, but the timeline was repeatedly pushed back due to various complications. Delays were caused by changes in the flyover’s design, which included the addition of a cable-stayed bridge segment, issues related to land acquisition, and the nationwide disruption brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Further delays were experienced in 2024, when the Lok Sabha elections led to a slowdown in permissions required for traffic diversions. Approval for necessary traffic blocks was granted only in December 2024, further affecting progress.
Because of these setbacks, the cost of the project was significantly increased—from ₹450 crore to ₹650 crore. One of the most technically challenging features of the extension is a 215-metre cable-stayed stretch, which includes a steep 70-degree curve and rises 25 metres above the ground. This segment, which also climbs nine metres above the existing Vakola flyover, has created a rare double-decker structure supported by a Y-shaped central pylon. It has been claimed by MMRDA that such a design is the first of its kind in Asia. The Orthotropic Steel Deck (OSD) for this section was successfully launched in February 2025.
The extension is expected to land near Panbai International School in Santacruz, providing better access to the domestic airport and easing congestion at Vakola. Commuters have voiced cautious optimism regarding the extension. It has been observed by residents that traffic jams at Vakola have delayed ambulances and disrupted student travel during exams. The new link is expected to significantly reduce such issues.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential for congestion at the landing point, where traffic from the extended flyover is set to merge with that from the Vakola flyover. However, it has been suggested by local commuters that with adequate monitoring by traffic authorities, such challenges can be mitigated during peak hours.