The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is in the final stages of completing the newly constructed Bellasis Bridge, a key connector between Nagpada and Mumbai Central, with finishing works and sound barrier installation currently underway. Although the bridge structure has been completed in a record time of 15 months—nearly four months ahead of schedule—it will be opened to traffic only after mandatory load testing and receipt of no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the Railways and the Traffic Police.
The Bellasis Bridge has emerged as a rare example of accelerated infrastructure delivery in Mumbai. Civic officials credit coordinated planning and execution for the early completion of the project, which replaces a century-old structure that had become unsafe. However, despite the construction milestone, motorists will have to wait a little longer before the bridge is formally opened.
During a site visit earlier this week, ongoing work was visible across the bridge deck. Labourers were engaged in installing sound barriers along the structure, while cranes were deployed for remaining finishing activities. Officials from the BMC’s bridges department explained that the decision to install sound barriers was taken at a later stage of the project and is expected to be completed within a few days.
Clearances, however, remain a prerequisite. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Prashant Pardesi confirmed that the traffic police NOC has not yet been issued and that the inauguration date is still undecided. Without approvals from both the Railways—owing to the bridge’s span over active tracks—and the Traffic Police, the bridge cannot be opened for public use.
Civic officials indicated that the formal inauguration is likely to take place only after Mumbai elects its new mayor and deputy mayor. The mayoral elections are expected to be held on February 11, following which an official opening ceremony is anticipated.
The new Bellasis Bridge is a modern cable-stayed structure designed to significantly improve east-west connectivity in South Mumbai. It measures a total length of 333 metres, comprising 138.39 metres on the eastern side and 157.39 metres on the western side, along with a 36.90-metre span over the railway tracks. The bridge features a 7-metre-wide carriageway and broad footpaths on both sides, ensuring safer movement for pedestrians in a congested urban zone.
The project replaces the old Bellasis Bridge, which dated back to 1893. Following a structural audit that declared the colonial-era bridge unfit for continued use, the BMC dismantled it in June 2024. The new structure was conceived to address both safety concerns and growing traffic demands between Nagpada, Mumbai Central, and adjoining areas such as Tardeo.
Once operational, the bridge is expected to ease congestion on surrounding arterial roads and offer a smoother, safer commute for thousands of daily users. With finishing touches nearing completion and statutory clearances awaited, the Bellasis Bridge is now poised to become a vital addition to Mumbai’s evolving transport infrastructure, marking a significant upgrade over its 19th-century predecessor.
Source: The Free Press Journal
