In a major push to alleviate chronic traffic snarls, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rolled out an ambitious Rs 2,225-crore infrastructure plan focused on Malad. The cornerstone of this project is the construction of a cable-stayed bridge over the Malad creek, designed to connect the bustling Link Road area near Infinity Mall with Lagoon Road in Malvani.
Project Details and Strategic Impact
The comprehensive plan, divided into two key packages, aims to create a new traffic grid for the western suburb. Malad, a key commercial hub housing numerous IT parks, commercial plazas, and film studios, experiences severe vehicular congestion during peak hours.
The first package involves building an elevated road over the Ramchandra nullah. This structure will link MDP Road in Malad with the Malad-Marve link road in the western part, streamlining north-south movement.
The second and most prominent package is the 792-metre-long bridge, with a 396-metre cable-stayed section. This bridge will be a substantial 36.6 metres wide, accommodating eight lanes (four on each side). Starting near the iconic Infinity Mall, it will traverse over the Malad creek and land at Lagoon Road (Mahakali Road) in Malvani, drastically cutting down east-west travel time for thousands of daily commuters.
Timeline and Official Statements
The project is expected to take approximately three years to complete once construction begins. A senior BMC official explained the design's synergy, stating, "The two bridges will criss-cross, with one moving in an east-west direction and the elevated road in a north-south direction. Together, they will significantly ease traffic movement in the western suburbs."
The civic body had floated tenders for the project in October and is currently in the process of evaluating bids. However, officials noted that as the construction passes through ecologically sensitive zones, work will commence only after securing necessary No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) and permissions from the High Court.
A Long-Awaited Relief for Commuters
This infrastructure initiative is poised to be a game-changer for Malad and its surrounding areas. By providing a high-capacity, direct link over the creek, the project will bypass multiple existing choke points. It promises to not only reduce travel time but also improve connectivity to the Malvani region, potentially boosting economic activity and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents in Mumbai's congested western suburbs.
