Pune-Mumbai Travel Gets Major Boost As Thane Creek Bridge 3 Fully Opens, To Ease Highway Congestion
Pune-Mumbai Travel Gets Major Boost As Thane Creek Bridge 3 Fully Opens, To Ease Highway Congestion
Pune/Mumbai | June 6, 2025 — The Thane Creek Bridge (TCB) 3 is now fully open to traffic, providing a significant boost to connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and easing congestion on the frequently overburdened Vashi Creek Bridge.
The second arm of the bridge—spanning three lanes from Vashi to Mankhurd—was inaugurated virtually on Thursday, June 5, marking the complete opening of the two-kilometre-long bridge. The first arm, a three-lane stretch from Mankhurd to Vashi, has been operational since October 2024.
CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the ‘Thane Creek Bridge No. 3 South Channel’ on the Sion-Panvel Mahamarg. This new bridge adds a new dimension to the Mumbai-Pune highway and represents a milestone in modern engineering and connectivity.
Developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), TCB 3 is strategically vital for improving vehicular flow on the Sion-Panvel corridor, one of the busiest routes linking Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The bridge is expected to play a key role in managing future traffic surges, especially with the Navi Mumbai International Airport nearing completion.
Vehicles traveling from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai and Pune use the Sion-Panvel Highway. In recent years, traffic congestion on this highway has increased. To address the growing traffic issue, two additional bridges are being constructed over Thane Creek on the Sion-Panvel Highway. The bridge in the Mumbai-to-Panvel direction has already been opened to vehicles, while the bridge in the Panvel-to-Mumbai direction (Thane Creek Bridge-3) will be opened to traffic on Thursday.
Relief from Traffic Jams
Currently, with the new bridge in one direction open, vehicles from Mumbai heading towards Panvel are reaching their destination without getting stuck in traffic jams. However, vehicles coming from Panvel to Mumbai have been facing congestion. With the new bridge opening on June 5, their commute will also become easier.
Equipped with three lanes in each direction and upgraded approach roads, TCB 3 is designed to improve traffic efficiency, reduce travel time, and offer a smoother commute for thousands of daily travellers. The bridge also strengthens infrastructure in anticipation of increased movement once the international airport becomes operational.
Authorities believe the full commissioning of TCB 3 marks a milestone in Mumbai’s regional transport infrastructure and will significantly reduce travel stress for daily commuters between the twin cities.
76-km stretch of the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg at Igatpuri Opened
The inauguration coincided with the opening of the final 76-km stretch of the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg at Igatpuri. While the Samruddhi Expressway was inaugurated on-site by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the TCB 3 bridge was launched digitally.
