Mumbai: The original Santa Cruz–Chembur Link Road (SCLR), which was opened in 2014, featured Mumbai’s first double-decker flyover. Connecting Kapadia Nagar on CST Road in the west to Amar Mahal Junction on the Eastern Express Highway, it was designed to provide a faster route between the city’s suburbs. However, the project quickly revealed its shortcomings as traffic congestion at various junctions, especially around the Vakola area, worsened.

In response to these issues, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority decided to extend the SCLR with a focus on bypassing the bottlenecks that plagued the original route. Construction on the extension project began in 2016, but delays, particularly related to defence land acquisition and negotiations with the BMC over compensation with the Ministry of Defence, have slowed the project’s progress.

Despite these setbacks, the extension was undertaken, and significant portions have already been completed. While the SCLR’s extension is expected to provide much-needed relief, transport experts like Vivek Pai warn that the rapid increase in the number of vehicles on Mumbai's roads could offset the benefits in the long term. Pai argues that without regulations on vehicle ownership, infrastructure projects like these may only provide temporary solutions, leading to further congestion as more cars take to the streets.

“SCLR extension is a classic example of how the existing SCLR, which was supposed to serve till 2050, was no more able to handle the traffic load, and there was a need to construct an elevated corridor to overcome the bottleneck,” Pai said.

“However, construction of flyovers, elevated roads, and double-deck bridges will not help to resolve the traffic problems. The SCLR extension project will also be unable to serve the increasing traffic after a decade, just as the existing SCLR project cannot. Eastwest remains an important connectivity the upcoming Goregaon Mulund Link Road is also meant to connect the east and west. So, despite having multiple roads, the traffic problem is getting worse and therefore regulations on vehicle ownership the needed,” Pai said.

Improved Access & Direct Connectivity

The extension promises to provide commuters with direct connectivity between the Western and Eastern Express Highways, cutting down travel time significantly and eliminating the need to navigate congested areas such as Vakola Junction. This critical infrastructure upgrade is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters, enhancing access to key business and residential hubs in the city.

The extension will also aid in bypassing traffic congestion in areas that are notorious for slow-moving traffic. With reduced congestion, commuters will enjoy smoother, more predictable travel across the city. Additionally, it will enhance the flow of goods and services, boosting the city’s economic output and productivity. Once open, it will reduce travel time between the Eastern and Western Express Highways by approximately 45 minutes, improving access to critical areas such as the Bandra-Kurla Complex and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.