The construction of two new vehicular bridges in South Mumbai, via Saat Raasta, is progressing swiftly to complete the missing V-shaped link between Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Reason for the Project Currently, Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali are connected via a century-old bridge that has deteriorated over time. This bridge is now inadequate to handle the present-day traffic load, as it remains one of the busiest routes in the city. Given the bridge’s condition, the BMC has proposed constructing two flyovers, as the existing structure cannot be demolished without a viable alternative in place. The development consists of a cable-stayed Road Over Bridge (ROB) and a flyover, which will link these two locations while also improving connectivity at Saat Raasta, one of Mumbai’s busiest traffic junctions. These two new structures will form a V-shaped route between Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali, with the Saat Raasta junction serving as the central point. The cable-stayed ROB will commence from Keshav Rao Khadye Marg, near the western side of Mahalaxmi station, and extend eastwards over the railway tracks. The bridge will conclude at Saat Raasta. This ROB will be 803 metres long, featuring four lanes, a 23-m width, and a height of 63 m from the ground. The second flyover will begin at Saat Raasta, pass over the railway tracks, and extend westward towards Dr E Moses Road, near Haji Ali and adjacent to Mahalaxmi Racecourse. This flyover will span 639 m and will also accommodate four lanes of traffic. Benefits Once completed, the two flyovers are expected to reduce travel time between Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali to 5-7 minutes, down from the current 25-45 minutes, depending on traffic congestion. Project Cost and Timeline The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 4.97 billion, with the cable-stayed bridge costing Rs 4 billion, while the flyover will cost Rs 970 million. The entire link is scheduled to be operational by October 2026.