MMRDA floats ₹723-crore tender for new Thane-Airoli creek bridge; travel time expected to cut by up to 30 minutes

MMRDA has invited bids for a new ₹723.42-crore bridge between Thane and Airoli, aiming to ease traffic and enhance connectivity by 2030.

NAVI MUMBAI: Thousands of commuters travelling daily between Thane and Navi Mumbai by road often find themselves stuck in long traffic snarls at the Kalwa and Airoli-Mulund creek bridges, with peak-hour delays stretching to nearly an hour. In a bid to provide long-awaited relief, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has invited bids for a new road bridge connecting Kopri in Thane East with Patni near Airoli, taking one of the region’s key connectivity projects a step closer to execution.

MMRDA floats ₹723-crore tender for new Thane-Airoli creek bridge; travel time expected to cut by up to 30 minutes

The MMRDA has floated tenders for the ₹723.42-crore project, which involves the construction of a 1.4-km-long six-lane cable-stayed bridge across Thane Creek along with approach roads. The proposed crossing will originate from Mith Bandar Road in Kopri, around 750 metres from Thane railway station, and terminate at Patni on Airoli Knowledge City Road, providing a direct connection between Thane Station Road and the Thane-Belapur Road corridor.

As per tender conditions, the selected contractor will be required to complete the project within 42 months, followed by a 60-month defect liability period. If work progresses as scheduled, the bridge is expected to be opened to traffic by 2030, adding a major new road link between Thane and Navi Mumbai after several years.

Explaining the rationale behind the project, an MMRDA official said the Thane-Belapur Road corridor has witnessed rapid industrial and information technology-driven growth and serves as a vital route connecting Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), the Nashik Highway and several major commercial hubs.

“The traffic load on the existing creek bridges has increased significantly over the years. The new bridge will provide an alternative route and improve overall connectivity between Thane and Navi Mumbai,” the official said.

According to MMRDA traffic studies, nearly 51,000 vehicles use the Thane-Belapur Road every day, while around 30,000 vehicles traverse the Airoli-Mulund Creek Bridge daily. The authority estimates that the proposed crossing will accommodate more than 1,900 vehicles per hour during peak periods, thereby reducing pressure on the existing road network.

Officials said the bridge will not only improve daily commuting between residential and business districts in Thane and Navi Mumbai but also facilitate smoother freight movement between JNPT, the Thane-Belapur industrial belt and the Nashik Highway. The project is also expected to strengthen connectivity to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, enhancing east-west mobility across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.