Over the past week, three new bridges — Reay Road Bridge, Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge, and Titwala Road Overbridge (ROB) — were opened to vehicular traffic in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). These infrastructure additions aim to ease persistent traffic congestion and improve daily commutes for residents.
The MMR is currently witnessing a significant infrastructure overhaul, with Mumbai leading the charge through multiple bridge and road projects. Over the coming year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to inaugurate seven new bridges at vital locations across the island city and suburbs, including Sandhurst Road, Mumbai Central, Grant Road, Sion, Vidyavihar, and Vikhroli.
Among these, two bridges are entirely new constructions, while five others are replacements of century-old structures demolished to make way for modern designs. Notably, the Vikhroli ROB, which has been under construction since 2018, is India’s longest bridge featuring an open-web-girder system made of stainless steel. It is expected to reduce travel time drastically, connecting Eastern Express Highway with Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg. The Carnac Bridge, a 154-year-old landmark, was pulled down in 2022 and is now being rebuilt to accommodate four lanes and modern amenities.
The BMC also targets the opening of the Belasis Bridge by November, a cable-stayed structure set to ease traffic between Mumbai Central and Grant Road. Meanwhile, the Sion ROB and Mahalaxmi Bridge are progressing steadily, with expected completion by mid-2026 and late 2026, respectively.
Despite delays caused by encroachments, court stays, and rehabilitation issues, civic officials remain optimistic. These bridges are set to significantly enhance Mumbai’s connectivity, reduce travel times, and ease congestion, marking a major step in the city’s ongoing infrastructure development.
Source: The Indian Express.
