Mumbai: Cable bridge linking Madh and Versova gets CRZ clearance

Like the Bandra Worli Sea Link, the proposed connector between Madh and Versova will be a cable-stayed bridge. Representation Pic/Shadab Khan

The proposed cable-stayed bridge between Versova and Madh has received Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. Similar structures at Dharivali village on Marve road and Goregaon creek also received CRZ clearance. It will be a long time before they become a reality as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) requires no-objection certificates (NOC) from the Bombay High Court and forest department before floating tenders.

The 1.5-km-long Madh-Versova bridge

The bridge between Madh and Versova has been in the planning stage for many years. To cut down travel time and reduce traffic jams, the BMC had proposed the construction of six bridges in the western suburbs in the 2021-22 budget - a Madh-Versova bridge, which would link Malad and Andheri; the connector between Marve and Manori; a bridge over the Malad creek and Oshiwara river; a bridge over Ramchandra nullah at Evershine Nagar in Malad; a connector between Lagoon Road and Infinity Mall in Malad and the aforementioned Marve road bridge at Dharivali. Out of these, permission for Ramchandra nullah one was granted in 2022 and tenders were invited for the Lagoon Road bridge.

BMC Speak

"The CRZ clearance is the big step forward, but we need NOCs from the high court and forest department before floating tenders," said a civic official.After CRZ clearance, the BMC needs to get the approval of the Bombay High Court for mangrove cutting, five-time compensatory afforestation and the forest department's clearance.

Currently, the distance between Versova and Madh Island is 20 km and accessible by either ferry or road via Kandivli Link Road. According to officials, the 1.5-km bridge from Madh to Versova will cut down travel time from 45 to 15 minutes. The proposed bridge behind Bhagat Singh Nagar across Goregaon creek will be a cable-stayed design. The vehicular bridge measuring 512 metres in length and 26.95 metres in width is intended to alleviate congestion on key arterial routes, including the Western Express Highway and New Link Road.

The proposed Dharivali bridge, which has received CRZ clearance

The proposed sites for all these bridges fall under the CRZ areas. At a few locations, reserved mangroves and forest patches could also be affected. Considering these aspects, the BMC had finalised a consultant in March 2021 to conduct an environment impact study to get various environment-related clearances from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Authority (MCZMA), the forest department and the Bombay High Court to remove mangroves. The MCZMA, while deferring proposals for five bridges, cleared the way for the proposed Ramchandra nullah bridge in February 2022.

Meeting scheduled

The K West ward of the BMC sent letters to local fisherfolk associations to discuss the socio-economic impact of the Manori bridge on fishing points. The meeting will be held at the K West office on February 14. According to the letters, the BMC will present the design of the proposed bridge and will take note of any suggestions and objections from residents.

Status of six bridges

>> Madh-Versova bridge - Received CRZ clearance.
>> Bridge on Ramchandra nullah at Evershine Nagar - Received MCZMA clearance
>> Lagoon Road to Infinity Mall bridge - Tender invited
>> Bridge on Marve Road in Dharivali - Received CRZ clearance
>> Manori-Marve bridge - Yet to get MCZMA clearance
>> Bridge over Malad creek and Oshiwara river - Yet to get MCZMA clearance