The completion of the 13.9-km elevated Eastern Freeway Extension is expected to significantly reduce travel time between South Mumbai and Thane, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) estimating the journey will take around 25–30 minutes.
In an update shared on X on Tuesday, July 21, the MMRDA announced the successful installation of two sections of the main girder launcher on the Eastern Express Highway, describing it as another major milestone in the construction of Mumbai's upcoming high-speed corridor.
4 hours. Two massive trusses.
One major step forward for Mumbai’s next high-speed road corridor.
MMRDA has achieved a major construction milestone on the 13.9-km Elevated Eastern Freeway Extension (EFE), with the successful erection of the two Main Trusses of its Segment… pic.twitter.com/OzQW9wbjKH
— MMRDA (@MMRDAOfficial) July 21, 2026
Each girder launcher section measures 59 metres in length and weighs 160 metric tonnes. Despite the scale of the operation, both sections were installed in just four hours. Images released by the MMRDA showed massive cranes lifting the blue steel trusses into place above the highway while traffic continued to move on adjacent carriageways.
According to the MMRDA, the installation was executed through meticulous planning, close coordination with the Mumbai Traffic Police, and strict adherence to safety protocols, enabling the complex operation to be completed with minimal disruption to traffic.