Yari-Lokhandwala Bridge Project Moves Forward: Commute Time To Slash By 30 Minutes

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received preliminary approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change for a much-anticipated bridge project connecting Yari Road to Lokhandwala. This bridge, which will span 393.2 metres, will pass through 0.21 hectares of mangrove forest, including a 110-metre single-span steel arch over Kavathe Creek.

A BMC official explained the necessity of obtaining environmental clearance due to the bridge's path through the mangrove forest. "Since the bridge passes through a mangrove forest, we needed permission from the environment ministry. Recently, we received in-principle approval for the project, which will significantly boost its progress. We now have permission to start the work, provided we take precautions to avoid disturbing the wildlife and commit to replantation efforts," he stated.

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 42 crore. The approach roads will be 166 metres from the Yari side and 117 metres from the Lokhandwala side. The project, initially planned in 2002, faced multiple delays. The BMC invited tenders in 2014 with an estimated cost of Rs 17 crore. However, legal disputes delayed the project further, as local groups argued that the bridge would harm the mangrove forest. Last year, the Supreme Court dismissed these petitions, paving the way for the project's approval.

Dhaval Shah of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizen Association expressed optimism about the new bridge. "This bridge will reduce commute time for Versova residents and provide an alternative road once the Versova Bandra Sea Link opens. It will also ease traffic from Lokhandwala," he said. Civic officials estimate that the bridge could reduce travel time by 30 minutes, offering a significant improvement for daily commuters.