22 April,2026 10:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Construction work related to the Kasarvadavli- Kharbhav bridge is carried out in the Vasai creek. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
More than one and a half years after Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) awarded the contract to Afcons Infrastructure to build the bridge linking Kasarvadavli in Thane and Kharbhav in Bhiwandi, the project is facing delays due to pending land acquisition at either end of the structure. While the MMRDA claims that the project, which has a total length of 3.93 km, remains firmly on course, and the overall completion timeline is still April 2028, sources from Thane collector's office told mid-day that the project could be delayed by at least one year.
The project comprises a kilometre-long bridge across Vasai creek, consisting of two separate elevated structures, each 18 metres wide, designed with two carriageways. The corridor will connect Ghodbunder Road and Kharbhav via the Chinchoti-Anjur Phata Road (SH-48), reducing travel time between Thane and Bhiwandi.
Officials told mid-day that while construction work over the creek is underway, land acquisition remains stalled on either end of the project. "On the Kasarvadavli side, Thane Municipal Corporation [TMC] is the Special Planning Authority. About 2.2 km of land is to be acquired through the TDR [transfer of development rights] mechanism, including private properties," said an official, adding that the MMRDA is acquiring around a kilometre of land on the Kharbhav side.
Officials from the Thane collector's office attributed the delay to the complexity of the urban infrastructure project and involvement of different compensation methods and various landowners. "We also need to coordinate with two different agencies [TMC and MMRDA], which is time-consuming and causing delays," said an official.
The project is being implemented in a structured and phased manner, with clear timelines assigned for both pre-construction and construction activities. Out of the total 42-month project duration (commenced in October 2024), the first 12 months have been strategically allocated for land acquisition, statutory clearances, and detailed design finalisation, followed by a 30 month period for construction.
Land acquisition activities are progressing in coordination with local authorities - on the Kasarvadavli side through the TMC and on the Kharbav side through the Thane collector's office. While there were initial challenges due to local sensitivities, these are being addressed through continuous engagement and coordinated efforts, and the process is now moving forward constructively.
At present, traffic between Thane and Bhiwandi moves through Old Agra Road, Majiwada, and the Mumbai-Nashik Highway via Kalwa, leading to regular congestion. The new bridge corridor is expected to provide a more direct connection between Kasarvadavli and Kharbhav, linking further to SH-48, the Balkum-Gaimukh Creek Road, and the Virar-Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor.
What is the current status of the project?
The project is progressing steadily and has entered an important early execution phase. Key preparatory works, including geotechnical investigations in the creek stretch and on the Kharbav side, have been completed, while similar work on the Kasarvadavli side is advancing as planned.
The project has already secured all major statutory clearances, including approvals from CRZ [Coastal Regulation Zone] authorities, the Maharashtra Maritime Board, and Eco-Sensitive Zone authorities, reflecting strong regulatory alignment. The forest proposal has also been recommended by the state government to the Centre and is in the final stages of approval. Importantly, on-ground work has already commenced, with piling activity initiated for the navigational span in the creek - marking a significant step towards timely project delivery.
The land acquisition process is progressing well and is expected to be substantially completed by June 2026. On the Kasarvadavli side, approximately 60 per cent of the required land has already been handed over to MMRDA, with the rest expected shortly. On the Kharbav side, key activities such as joint measurements have been completed, and land handover is also on track within the same timeline. With these developments, the project remains firmly on course, and the overall completion timeline of April 2028 continues to be maintained.
3.93 km
Total length of the project
