Almost two decades after it was first proposed, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has revived the Nariman Point–Cuffe Parade bridge project. The authority has started the process of getting Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance.
The bridge was first proposed in 2008 to improve connectivity between the two commercial hubs in south Mumbai. The proposal was on hold for years and was first tendered in 2022. Larsen & Toubro was awarded the contract in 2023. However, the work was stopped the same year after residents and fishermen opposed the proposed alignment. They said it would pass through one of Mumbai's last remaining traditional fishing bunds.
The Maharashtra government approved a revised alignment in December last year. The proposed bridge will be 1.869 km long. It will reduce peak-hour travel time between Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade from around 25 minutes to about five minutes.
The bridge will begin from Dorabji Tata Road at Nariman Point. It will pass over reclaimed land for a short distance before extending over the sea on pillars. It will end at Captain Prakash Pethe Marg in Cuffe Parade. The bridge has been designed as a four-lane double-decker structure. Officials said the double-decker design has been adopted because of limited space for construction.
The revised plan reduces the amount of land reclamation. Most of the bridge will now stand on pillars in the sea. Only around 400 metres of approach ramps will be built on reclaimed land. This will require reclamation of about 0.077 hectares of the sea.
The long delay has also increased the cost of the project. When it was first planned, the bridge was expected to cost around INR 284.55 crore. The revised estimate is INR 588 crore.
The project will require the acquisition of around 1,765 sq m of land for the approach ramps. This includes parts of private land, land belonging to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, property owned by the Mumbai Port Trust, and some slum structures.
As per sources, there are 132 trees in the project area. MMRDA will invite tenders after required environmental approvals. The project will also need approval from the union environment ministry because it involves land reclamation.
The bridge project has gained importance as many projects are planned in South Mumbai. The Maharashtra government is developing the Air India building into a government complex. A luxury marina has been proposed at Cuffe Parade. At present, vehicles mainly use Madame Cama Road and General Jagannath Bhosale Road. Both roads witness heavy congestion during office hours.
A floating hotel off Nariman Point is also planned. Earlier this month, authorities began the environmental clearance process to widen a stretch of Marine Drive from eight to 13 lanes. The widening is intended to handle traffic from the upcoming Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel.
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