The much-delayed Vidyavihar bridge, also known as the East-West connector, is now eyeing a revised completion timeline of mid-2026. While some sources mention March or April 2026 as possible deadlines, others simply refer to a broad “mid-2026” target. Despite the uncertainty, there’s finally visible progress on this long-pending project that was first proposed more than three decades ago.
A Bridge Three Decades in the Making
The Vidyavihar bridge was originally planned as part of the 1991 Development Plan, but the project lay dormant for over 25 years. Planning efforts resumed in 2016, and after design approvals, actual construction began in 2018. However, since then, the project has faced multiple delays—ranging from land acquisition issues and utility relocation to pandemic-related disruptions and design revisions.
Major Milestones So Far
One of the key achievements so far is the installation of a 120-meter steel girder over the railway tracks, completed in late 2023. This is the longest unsupported girder in India and a major engineering feat. But even with this progress, a lot remains to be done—especially along the approach roads.
More than 80 structures, including residential, commercial, and civic buildings, still need to be demolished or relocated. Additionally, around 180 trees will need to be removed or transplanted, most of them on the western side of the bridge.
Rising Costs and Redesigns
The original estimated cost of the Vidyavihar bridge in 2016 was ₹99.98 crore. However, with multiple design changes and an extension of the bridge length from 400 meters to 613 meters, the budget has now jumped to ₹178.93 crore.
The redesigns were prompted by safety and structural recommendations from the Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and IIT experts. These included increasing the length of the railway girder from 99 to 120 meters and doubling the steel requirement from 1,100 metric tonnes to 2,069 metric tonnes.
India’s Largest Luxurious International Cruise Terminal Launched in Mumbai: A New Era in Maritime Tourism
Reasons for the Delay
There are several factors behind the prolonged delay in completing the Vidyavihar bridge:
- Major delays in land acquisition and clearing encroachments—over 60 structures still need to be removed.
- Pandemic disruptions, which brought construction to a halt for months.
- Bureaucratic delays, especially in securing permissions for traffic and power blocks from the railways.
- A decision to split the construction into two phases: girder installation first and approach roads later, which added complexity to the project timeline.
Concerns After Completion
Even as work progresses, residents have raised concerns about potential traffic bottlenecks once the Vidyavihar bridge opens. Nathani Road on the west side and the Sindhu Wadi Junction on the east are expected to experience congestion unless additional road widening is undertaken.
The BMC is aware of these concerns and has said it will take steps to address them before the bridge becomes operational.
Looking Ahead
With the 120-meter girder already in place and much of the major structural work completed, the Vidyavihar bridge finally appears to be heading toward completion. But the actual opening date still hinges on clearing the remaining encroachments and completing the approach roads. If things go as planned, commuters may finally see the bridge open by March or April 2026.
For now, all eyes remain on the BMC and the progress made in the coming months to meet the revised deadlines. The Vidyavihar bridge, once completed, will be a crucial connector between the east and west sides of Mumbai and could significantly ease travel for thousands of daily commuters.
