Mumbai's Versova To Madh Island In 10 Minutes Instead Of 1.5 Hours: Why Green Nod Matters
Last Updated: July 28, 2025, 20:10 IST
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has secured clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). (PTI File)
Mumbai's Versova-Madh cable-stayed bridge: Ten years after it was proposed, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has secured clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to construct a cable-stayed flyover connecting Madh Island in the western suburbs with Versova, the Indian Express reported.
The bridge will provide all-weather connectivity and cut down travel time from one-and-a-half hours to 10 minutes between Madh and Versova. It will help ease traffic in Andheri, Madh, Borivali and Gorai areas of the western suburbs. The cable-stayed bridge between Madh and Versova
The distance between Madh and Versova is 21 to 22 km. The idea for the bridge first came up in 1967. The proposed bridge is a cable-stayed flyover spanning about 2.06 km across the Madh Creek.
It will be 27.5-m wide, with four lanes (two in each direction). What next after MoEFCC nod?
Once the Bombay High Court clearance is received and the formal work order is issued—likely by late 2025, the construction is expected to begin, with full completion around 2028. How long will it take to build?
The estimated construction time is approximately 36 months (about 3 years) once work begins. What is the cost of the Madh-Versova bridge?
Initial tender estimates (March 2024) were around Rs 1,800 crore, but due to market adjustments, the final cost has risen and is currently pegged at Rs 2,395 crore (including GST, civil works, maintenance). How will Madh-Versova bridge ease travel?
Currently, there is no direct road access between Versova and Madh Island.
Commuters have to take a long detour via Link Road, S.V. Road, Western Express Highway, often taking 45–60 minutes during peak hours—and potentially up to 90 minutes during heavy traffic or monsoon disruptions. Once completed, the new flyover is expected to cut this journey down to just 5 minutes.
The bridge move directly across Versova Creek instead of circling through central suburbs.
The current ferry service is often suspended during the monsoons or evenings. The bridge will remain operational 365 days a year.
The cable-stayed structure involves fewer piers, minimizing ecological damage to mangroves while providing direct access. Why is Madh Island a popular weekend getaway?
Madh Island, located in North-West Mumbai, is famous for its scenic beaches, historic fort, film shoots, and peaceful coastal charm. Surrounded by the Arabian Sea and Malad Creek, it offers a quiet escape from the city's chaos. The island is home to fishing villages like Erangal and Madh, where the local Koli and East Indian communities preserve traditional lifestyles.
Its relatively secluded beaches such as Madh Beach, Erangal Beach, and Dana Pani make it a favourite weekend getaway for Mumbaikars. Madh Island is also a hotspot for Bollywood, TV, and ad film shoots, thanks to its rustic settings and private bungalows.
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The historic Portuguese-built Madh Fort adds to its allure, though it's not always open to the public. Accessible by road from Malad or a short ferry ride from Versova, Madh Island is known not only for its natural beauty but also for its role in Mumbai's cultural and entertainment scene.
With Agency Inputs Manjiri Joshi
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