MahaRail has completed the installation of all 40 stay cables for the under-construction cable-stayed Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Byculla, marking a major engineering milestone for one of Mumbai’s significant urban infrastructure projects.
With the final stay cable installed on May 21, the bridge’s 173-metre main span is now fully supported by the cable system. Officials stated that the cable-stayed section carries an approximate self-weight of 5,000 metric tonnes, highlighting the scale and technical complexity of the project.
The new four-lane bridge is being constructed alongside the existing century-old Byculla ROB, which has exceeded its operational lifespan. Authorities said the decision to build the new bridge first will ensure uninterrupted traffic movement on the busy Eastern Express Highway corridor while rehabilitation and strengthening work is later undertaken on the old structure.
Spanning 916 metres and featuring a 50-metre-high pylon, the bridge is expected to improve east-west connectivity across Byculla and neighbouring areas while offering greater resilience during adverse weather conditions.
Officials added that the project includes MahaRail’s patented three-tier utility duct system integrated into the crash barriers, aimed at reducing future road digging for utility maintenance works.
The bridge will also feature remote-controlled architectural LED lighting and dedicated public viewing areas, including a selfie point, as part of efforts to combine transport infrastructure with urban design elements.
One of the project’s most technically demanding stages is currently underway, involving deck erection work above the crowded Byculla vegetable market and active railway tracks. MahaRail is using specialised Deck Erection Crane (DEC) technology to minimise disruption to both rail and road traffic during construction.
The project also involves integration with the existing ‘Y’ bridge corridor to maintain connectivity towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus while preserving the corridor’s historic alignment.
Source: Deccan Herald
