July 18, 2025: In response to growing criticism over design flaws in recently inaugurated bridges, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at standardising the construction and design of upcoming bridges across Mumbai. The move signals the civic body’s intent to adopt a more holistic and structured approach to bridge planning and urban connectivity.
Senior BMC officials confirmed that a dedicated team is being formed to develop the SOP. The guidelines will focus on critical aspects such as carriageway dimensions, pedestrian pathways, and merging lanes—components that have often been flagged as inadequate in recent infrastructure rollouts.
The initiative comes as Mumbai undergoes a major infrastructural transformation, with numerous bridge projects either under construction or nearing completion. For the 2025–2026 fiscal year, the BMC’s bridge department has been allocated a substantial budget of Rs 8,238.73 crore. Over the past two months alone, three significant east-west connectors—Carnac Bridge (renamed Sindoor Bridge), Vikhroli Bridge, and the fully opened Gokhale Bridge—have been made accessible to vehicular traffic.
However, these projects have not been without controversy. Citizen groups and urban mobility experts have criticised the planning of several new bridges, citing issues such as inadequate pedestrian infrastructure. The Gokhale Bridge, in particular, has faced backlash for offering minimal walking space, while other bridges have sparked concerns over the emergence of new traffic bottlenecks due to poorly designed merging sections.
The proposed SOP is expected to streamline planning procedures and introduce greater accountability in the execution of bridge projects. By addressing design inconsistencies early in the planning phase, the BMC hopes to ensure that future infrastructure is both commuter-friendly and aligned with long-term urban mobility goals.
Source: The Indian Express
