2,395-Crore Madh-Versova Bridge Gets Environmental Nod, Awaiting Bombay HC Clearance

In a significant milestone for Mumbai's coastal connectivity, the ₹2,395-crore Madh-Versova bridge project has received clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The much-anticipated 2.06-km bridge, which has been decades in the making, will drastically cut travel time between the Madh and Versova jetties, which are currently connected only by ferry.

While the project has cleared its environmental hurdle at the central level, it still awaits a final go-ahead from the Bombay High Court, which must approve the diversion of 2.75 hectares of mangrove forest. The clearance is essential before construction can begin, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials are optimistic that approval will be secured in the next two to three months.
 

A Lifeline Bridge, Long Overdue

The Madh-Versova bridge is designed to significantly improve connectivity between western Mumbai’s coastal villages and the city’s urban spine. During the monsoon, ferry services between Madh and Versova are suspended, forcing residents to take a 90-minute detour by road. The bridge will offer a direct road connection that could transform local commutes and emergency response times.

The cable-stayed bridge design was selected to minimize its ecological footprint, particularly in the mangrove-rich belt of the area. Fewer pillars will be needed in the sensitive zones, reducing disruption to marine and mangrove ecosystems.

The bridge will also link up with the Versova interchange on the northern arm of the Mumbai Coastal Road, enhancing multi-point connectivity across western suburbs and boosting transport infrastructure in the long term.
 

Forest Clearance and Mangrove Compensatory Plan

Although the MoEFCC has granted its approval, the project still requires judicial clearance from the Bombay High Court to proceed with the planned diversion of 2.7515 hectares of mangrove land. Under the High Court’s mangrove protection orders, any such diversion demands special permission.

To compensate for the diverted mangrove patch, the BMC has earmarked three hectares of land where it will carry out afforestation activities. Officials have confirmed that for every tree removed, three new trees will be planted as part of the reforestation plan.

A senior civic official noted, “This is not just a compliance formality — our goal is to offset the environmental impact with a meaningful afforestation effort. The bridge has been designed to strike a balance between development and ecology.”

 

Construction Target: Groundwork by October

Assuming the Bombay High Court grants the required permission within the estimated timeline, BMC hopes to begin on-site construction by October 2025. Only land acquisition will remain after legal clearance.

The BMC is also working to ensure landowners are compensated adequately, and public hearings have been scheduled for affected areas in the coming weeks.

A civic engineer close to the project said, “Once we get the HC nod, things will move quickly. The engineering design is ready, and the foundation work will begin by October if all goes according to plan.”

Political Push Behind the Progress

The project gained renewed momentum earlier this week after Union Minister Piyush Goyal met with Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, emphasizing the urgent need for the bridge. Their discussions prompted the state to escalate the request for clearance with the MoEFCC, which helped secure approval in a matter of days.

This bridge has been part of the Mumbai Development Plan since 1967, but has remained on paper due to ecological concerns, lack of political consensus, and slow approvals. With MoEFCC clearance in hand and a judicial review pending, the project is now closer than ever to becoming a reality.
 

What's Next?

With two major hurdles — MoEFCC clearance and upcoming HC decision — the Madh-Versova bridge project is finally moving forward after years of delay. If executed as scheduled, the bridge will offer Mumbai a vital new transit corridor while setting a precedent for eco-conscious urban infrastructure.