August 28, 2025: As Ganesh Chaturthi festivities begin in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has placed 12 railway overbridges in South and Central Mumbai under special watch. Authorities have urged citizens, mandals, and transporters to avoid overcrowding, heavy vehicles, and high-decibel music on these bridges, given the strain that festival processions can create on ageing structures.
Officials clarified that the bridges — spanning from Marine Lines to Dadar — are structurally stable. However, under festival conditions, the combined weight of large trucks carrying idols and thousands of devotees can surpass the permissible 16-tonne limit. Engineers have also cautioned that vibrations from amplified sound systems with strong bass further stress these century-old bridges.
The bridges flagged in the advisory include those at Marine Lines, Charni Road, Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Mahalaxmi, and Dadar. While some are undergoing repairs or scheduled for post-monsoon strengthening, authorities have avoided closures to prevent traffic chaos along Mumbai’s busiest festive corridors.
South and Central Mumbai host the city’s most iconic Ganesh mandals, particularly in the Dadar-Lalbaug-Parel belt, where many idol workshops are located. The processions here are both cultural and logistical spectacles, funnelling through narrow roads and over old bridges, magnifying risks. Experts suggest the advisory underscores broader urban challenges, as Mumbai’s infrastructure — much of it built in the early 20th century — struggles with daily traffic and festive surges.
Civic officials stressed that the measure is precautionary. “These bridges are not unsafe, but they must be used responsibly during the festival,” a senior BMC official said, appealing for cooperation among all stakeholders.
The festival will culminate on Anant Chaturdashi with massive immersion processions, the most testing day for civic systems. For now, the advisory serves as a reminder of Mumbai’s resilience and the need to balance tradition with public safety.
Source: Urban Acres
