November 12, 2025: Mumbai’s skyline is being reshaped as five major bridge reconstruction projects—at Byculla, Mahalaxmi, Bellasis, Elphinstone, and Sion—advance rapidly to form a new, resilient transport spine across the island city. Together, these projects promise to drastically improve east-west mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and strengthen the city’s long-term infrastructure resilience.
Executed jointly by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MahaRail), the ambitious overhaul is part of an integrated strategy to replace ageing rail-over-bridges (ROBs) with modern, high-capacity structures.
At Mahalaxmi, a sleek cable-stayed bridge is being built alongside the existing structure to minimize disruption, with the first phase expected by December 2026. The Bellasis Bridge near Mumbai Central is progressing ahead of schedule and may open by December 2025, earlier than the initial April 2026 deadline. The Byculla Bridge, a ₹280-crore project replacing a 103-year-old structure, is 80% complete and set to open by March 2026, featuring a six-to-eight-lane cable-stayed design for smoother traffic flow.
The Sion Bridge, connecting LBS Marg and Dr Ambedkar Road, is targeted for completion by May 2026, with complex underpass and girder works underway. Meanwhile, the Elphinstone Bridge at Prabhadevi, demolished in 2025, is being rebuilt as a double-decker structure—with the lower deck for local traffic and the upper deck linked to the future Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector by January 2027.
By 2030, these bridges will collectively transform the mobility landscape of central and south Mumbai, enabling faster, safer, and more efficient commutes. The integration with mega-corridors like the Atal Setu and Eastern Freeway will create a seamless, high-speed transport network—symbolising Mumbai’s evolution into a more connected and future-ready global city.
Source: The Free Press Journal
