Mumbai's New Lifeline: SCLR Extension Opens August 14

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will inaugurate the Santacruz–Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension on August 14, providing a signal-free corridor from Kurla to Panbai School near Mumbai Airport. This critical east–west connector will directly link the Eastern and Western Express Highways, easing congestion and significantly reducing peak-hour travel times by 15–20 minutes.

A key engineering highlight of the project is a cable-stayed bridge—the first in South Asia to incorporate a 100-metre horizontal curve. The bridge features a 215-metre orthotropic steel deck, rising 25 metres above the Western Express Highway, with a two-lane carriageway (10.5 to 17.2 metres wide) supported by a Y-shaped pylon. The absence of mid-span piers was a deliberate design choice to protect Metro Line 3 tunnels and critical underground utilities.

Beyond improved vehicular mobility, the project includes:

Upgraded junctions, Enhanced drainage systems, Pedestrian-friendly amenities, Integration with Phase II of the SCLR network

The extension is expected to decongest key areas such as Vakola, Bandra Kurla Complex, and LBS Marg, marking a significant milestone in Mumbai’s urban mobility and infrastructure development. The official opening is scheduled just ahead of Independence Day, symbolising a step forward in solving the city’s long-standing east–west traffic challenges.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.