July 12,2025: Acting on recommendations from a structural audit, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has commenced the demolition and reconstruction of seven structurally unsound bridges in the P North (Malad) and R South (Kandivali) wards. The project, which includes three vehicular bridges and four foot overbridges (FOBs), is valued at Rs 26.43 crore and is scheduled for completion within two years.
In 2023, M/s. Structronics Consulting Engineers Ltd. submitted a reassessment report to the civic body highlighting the deteriorating condition of these bridges. This was followed by design and cost planning by M/s. Femstruct Consulting Engineers Pvt. Ltd. The bridges selected for redevelopment include two FOBs near Mahalaxmi Dairy Farm and Hanuman Nagar (Kandivali East), a vehicular bridge at Gaodevi Road (Kandivali East), an FOB linking Narwane Transit Camp to nearby slum clusters (Kandivali West), an FOB near Ramnagar Chawl, Bihari Tekdi and Kamaraj Chawl (Kandivali East), and two vehicular bridges — one in front of Surabhi Complex (Kandivali West), and another at Appa Pada, Gandhi Tekdi (on the Malad–Kandivali East border).
Among these, the FOBs near Mahalaxmi Dairy Farm, Hanuman Nagar, and Kamaraj Chawl have been declared unsafe and are currently closed to pedestrians. The other structures are partially closed as a safety measure, according to a civic official.
Three firms had submitted tenders for the reconstruction work. M/s. Bucon Engineers and Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. emerged as the lowest bidder, quoting 11% above the estimated Rs 19.66 crore. Following negotiations, the contract was awarded for Rs 26.43 crore.
“As the project includes two vehicular bridges, traffic diversions will be planned in consultation with the traffic police to maintain safe and smooth flow in the area,” an official stated.
Source: The Free Press Journal