Andheri-Goregaon Bridge to Finally Begin Work in August After 3-Year Delay

After being stalled for nearly three years, the much-anticipated Andheri-Goregaon bridge project is finally set to take off in August. This new ₹499.20 crore cable-stayed bridge will offer a critical alternative route to the heavily congested New Link Road, easing traffic woes and connecting several high-density areas in West Mumbai. The bridge will begin from Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar in Goregaon West, stretch over the Goregaon creek, and land at Masjid As Salam Chowk in Millat Nagar, Andheri West.

The project, originally approved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in late 2022, had faced significant delays due to a long list of environmental and legal permissions. Among them were clearances from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), the forest department, and crucially, the Bombay High Court, since the alignment passes through mangroves, marshland, and No Development Zones (NDZ).
 

A Bridge That Could Transform Commutes

This new connector is expected to significantly cut down travel time between Andheri, Oshiwara, Lokhandwala, and Goregaon — areas currently linked primarily through the jam-prone New Link Road. Local residents, who have long struggled with bottlenecks on existing roads, are optimistic.

“This bridge will be a game-changer for short-distance travel between Andheri and Goregaon,” said Dhaval Shah, co-founder of the Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association. “Currently, it takes me 45 minutes to cover a short commute from Lokhandwala to Goregaon. If built soon, it will genuinely ease the daily struggle.”

However, Shah also expressed concerns about the delay: “If the slum clearance in Bhagat Singh Nagar takes too long, the project may lose its relevance. The upcoming Versova-Dahisar Link Road could address many connectivity issues by the time this is done.”

Delay Due to Approvals and Slum Encroachments
 

While the ₹499.20 crore is the official contract cost, the project’s total estimate, including contingencies and overheads, stands at ₹694 crore. A major stumbling block was the requirement for approvals from multiple agencies due to the bridge’s proximity to ecologically sensitive zones.

In May 2023, the MCZMA gave conditional clearance, stipulating that the bridge be constructed on stilts to minimize damage to mangroves. They also mandated that the BMC avoid disrupting fishing activity or creek water flow and ensure no solid waste is dumped during construction.

Further, a 2018 Bombay High Court order had placed strict restrictions on any construction within mangrove and buffer zones without prior court approval. The BMC, in compliance, applied for permission in 2024 and disclosed that 31 mangroves would need to be felled. To compensate, 444 mangroves would be planted elsewhere. In May 2025, the Bombay High Court granted the green signal, terming the project a public utility initiative vital for traffic management and improving connectivity in underdeveloped areas.
 

Slum Rehabilitation Still a Hurdle
 

While all environmental and legal hurdles are now crossed, the major challenge that remains is the presence of nearly 2,500 slum dwellings at the Goregaon side of the project site in Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar. However, the BMC is already working with a developer handling an ongoing Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project in the area. The developer has reportedly assured the civic body that these homes will be cleared in the coming months.

“Excavation work on the Andheri West side is scheduled to start in August,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Bangar after visiting the site on Wednesday. “On the Goregaon side, once the slums are cleared, we’ll begin work. All permissions are in place, and we’re confident of smooth progress going forward.”
 

Urban Impact and Future Scope
 

With Mumbai’s urban sprawl and ever-increasing vehicle density, such infrastructure projects have become essential. The Andheri-Goregaon bridge is expected to do more than just ease congestion — it may become a vital link for the proposed north coastal road and other strategic developments in the region.

According to BMC officials, the bridge will strengthen the western suburban infrastructure and also benefit peripheral localities. Once complete, it will enhance direct and safer commuting options across the suburbs, avoiding overburdened arterial roads and local bottlenecks.

The bridge is part of a larger push by the BMC to modernize Mumbai’s infrastructure and improve intra-city road networks. Following this project, the next bridge in the pipeline is from MDP Road over Ramchandra Nalla to Ryan International School, near Malad-Marve Road in Malad.

 

Conclusion: Long-Awaited, Much-Needed

 

The Andheri-Goregaon bridge is not just another civic infrastructure project — it’s a promise of decongested roads, shorter commutes, and smarter urban planning. Though delayed, its revival marks progress. Now, all eyes are on the BMC to ensure that the work starts on time and is completed without further hurdles.

If implemented as planned, August could finally be the month when this long-stuck project truly takes off — bringing a breath of relief to West Mumbai’s traffic-strangled residents.