The iconic Carnac Bridge in South Mumbai, specifically between the Masjid Bunder railway station and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a crucial east–west corridor spanning the railway tracks, is set to reopen on 7 June, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The structure, which has remained non-operational for over a decade due to safety concerns, is expected to provide significant traffic relief once it resumes service.
Initially closed to heavy vehicles in 2014, the bridge was finally demolished in November 2022, causing a 27-hour disruption to Central Railway services. Despite the issuance of work orders in 2017, actual progress only commenced in 2018, following the Gokhale Bridge collapse, which prompted urgent infrastructural evaluations across the city.
The Carnac Bridge reconstruction has been marred by multiple delays, largely due to BMC inaction, delays in obtaining traffic NOCs, and complications caused by illegal structures on adjoining land. Over 500 workers and heavy machinery were involved in the demolition phase, but the initial 19-month completion timeline was overly ambitious.
Further setbacks arose from difficulties in acquiring essential railway permits, pushing the projected completion date to October 2024. A significant mishap involving the suspension of a 400-tonne girder not only caused injuries but also disrupted railway operations, further delaying installation.
Despite these challenges, the BMC remains firm on its commitment to complete the bridge before the monsoon season, aligning with directives from the Maharashtra Chief Minister. An official stated that the project remains “on schedule”, as preparations continue amid logistical hurdles, including the presence of police chowkis and various utility lines near the construction zone.
Once complete, the new Carnac Bridge is expected to restore a critical transport link and boost connectivity in the area. The bridge, originally named after James Rivett Carnac, Governor of Bombay in 1867, features a unique Gujarati inscription on its northern end reading ‘Kaarnyaak Pul’, carved into basalt stone using Gujarati script.
Source: The Free Press Journal
