Three lanes of the long-awaited Thane Creek Bridge-3 on the Mumbai-Pune route will be opened by the end of September. The remaining three lanes for the Pune-Mumbai direction are expected to open in January 2025. In January, a new toll plaza with 10 staggered lanes on both sides of the bridge was completed.
As per a report by Indian Express, a Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) official has claimed that three lanes of the bridge are almost ready. Some finishing touches, like painting and signage, are in progress.
The construction of Thane Creek Bridge-3 began in 2020 by Larsen and Toubro at the cost of INR 559 crores. The new bridge is being built parallel to the existing Thane Creek Bridge-2 and will be 1.8 kilometres long. With the opening this month, there will be nine overall lanes through the creek. Once the bridge opens completely in February 2025, there will be 12 lanes, with six lanes in each direction.
Sources have suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could inaugurate the bridge. He is expected to visit Mumbai to launch the underground Mumbai Metro 3 project from Aarey to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
This project has faced several setbacks, causing delays. Initially, one side of the bridge was scheduled to open in April, but it was postponed. There were also complaints from the local fishing community. They expressed concerns about how the bridge might affect their livelihoods. These concerns were resolved, and compensation was provided.
In addition to this, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is working on plans to further improve connectivity. Consultants have been hired to work on three additional bridges. The bridges will be constructed parallel to Thane Creek and are expected to improve connectivity across the region.
These will connect Kharbao, Payegaon, and Kalher in Bhiwandi with Kasarvadavli, Gaimukh, and Kolshet on Ghodbunder Road in Thane.
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