06 September,2026 04:14 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
The new creek bridge is expected to bypass this section, providing a more direct route for both commuters and freight traffic. Pic/videograb from X
The Gaimukh-Payegaon Creek Bridge project in Maharashtra's Thane has crossed a major construction milestone, with overall work on the 6.5-km project now around 25 per cent complete, an official statement said.
The project, being developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), is expected to improve connectivity between Thane, Bhiwandi, Vasai and other parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
According to the latest project update, piling work along the Thane Creek section of the bridge is more than 95 per cent complete. Pier erection and pier-cap construction are also progressing, while work is underway at both the Gaimukh and Paye-Payegaon ends.
The construction milestone marks progress towards creating a new road link across the creek and reducing pressure on existing routes.
The bridge will connect Gaimukh on Ghodbunder Road with Chinchoti and Payegaon. The new route is expected to provide a more direct connection towards Bhiwandi, Vasai and the northern parts of the MMR, the statement said.
Ghodbunder Road is already a busy transport corridor, carrying traffic between Thane, Mumbai's western suburbs, Mira-Bhayandar and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, it said.
At present, commuters travelling from Thane towards Chinchoti, Payegaon and Vasai have to negotiate the ghat section near Ghodbunder. Traffic movement is also affected by heavy vehicles using the route.
The new creek bridge is expected to bypass this section, providing a more direct route for both commuters and freight traffic.
The bridge is also planned as an important part of MMRDA's wider multimodal transport network. It will improve connectivity with several major infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor, Thane Coastal Road, Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor, Diva-Vasai railway line, National Highway 48 and Anjur-Chinchoti Road.
The Gaimukh-Payegaon Creek Bridge is being developed as part of a wider plan to strengthen Thane's road, metro and tunnel connectivity.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to improve regional mobility, support freight movement and strengthen links between key economic centres in the MMR. The project is being seen as more than a creek crossing, officials said.
