India, May 9 -- The plan to build a bridge connecting Bhayandar to Vasai is inching forward, a project that promises to slash the distance separating the two suburbs from 39km to just 5km, and travel time from 90 minutes to just 10 minutes.

Originally planned in 2000, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) last week submitted a proposal to the state urban development department. The proposal formally seeks approval for a much talked-about design change that would see a double-deck bridge across the Vasai creek. While the upper deck will serve as a road crossing, the lower carriage will be used for Metro Line 13.

The bridge, estimated to cost Rs.2,500 crore, is expected to bring huge respite to the 1.8 million resid...