November 01, 2025: Mumbai’s century-old Byculla ‘Y’ Bridge is set to make way for a modern landmark, with 80 per cent of construction completed on its replacement — the new Byculla Road Overbridge (ROB). Built by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MahaRail), the cable-stayed bridge will serve as a vital east–west link connecting South Mumbai, Dadar, and the Eastern Express Highway.
The Rs 287-crore project, once marred by logistical hurdles and revised timelines, is now expected to open to the public by March 2026. A MahaRail spokesperson said, “The work on raising the cable for the cable-stayed portion is in progress. The deck slab has been laid, and slab surface work is underway,” as quoted by The Times of India. Originally slated for completion in 2024, the timeline was extended first to June 2025 and later to October 2025 before being finalised. Despite the delays, construction has continued without disrupting traffic on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road.
Spanning 916 metres, the new bridge replaces the 1922 ‘Y’-shaped structure declared unsafe after an IIT-Bombay audit in 2018. Designed with a single central pylon, it will feature four traffic lanes—twice the capacity of the original—and an illuminated façade, positioning it as both an engineering feat and an architectural icon.
Constructing the bridge posed major challenges due to its location above a busy market and active railway lines. Engineers strategically placed pylons to avoid encroachment on the MCGM market area, using longer cable spans to minimise railway disruption.
The new bridge will also include a three-tier utility duct for telecom and electrical lines, tri-colour LED lighting for national events, and a selfie point offering sweeping city views. A preserved section of the historic ‘Y’ bridge will be integrated into the new design, blending heritage with innovation.
