The newly constructed Belasis Bridge in Mumbai could be the first infrastructure project inaugurated by the new mayor, as the civic body plans to open it to traffic by the end of next week—by which time the city is expected to have a mayor after a four-year hiatus.
The 130-year-old bridge, which is a key east-west connector in South Mumbai, was demolished and reconstructed within 15 months. It will also be the first key infrastructure project to be opened to the public this year.
Usually, most big-ticket projects constructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are inaugurated by the mayor, the first citizen of Mumbai.
Civic officials stated that the construction of Belasis Bridge was completed on January 6, and since then, ancillary work like painting of road signage and dividers, and installation of signals and lights has been underway. At present, the BMC has initiated its application to obtain no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the railways and the traffic department in Mumbai.
“Since the bridge will pass above railway tracks, we will require NOCs from both these agencies. It will take a week for the NOCs to come through, following which the bridge will be opened for public transportation,” an official told The Indian Express.
In many cases, the traffic department provides input on restructuring some aspect of a bridge before giving its NOC. For example, when the BMC opened Carnac Bridge last year, the traffic department pointed out that a certain portion of the road would need resurfacing. The BMC subsequently initiated the work.
Officials said that if such suggestions are made, it may push the inaugural process by a week.
New mayor by January end
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With the BMC election results being declared last week, the state government is set to hold a lottery to decide the reservation category for the mayoral seat of 29 municipal corporations in the state, including Mumbai. Following this, the mayor will be elected on January 31.
“Even though the timeline of the mayor taking over office coincides with the completion of all the procedural work for opening the bridge, it is not a deliberate move or attempt. If the NOC comes through at the end of next week, the bridge could be opened by the mayor. However, the election is a judicial process, and in case there is any delay, no attempts will be made to stall the opening of the bridge since it will inconvenience people,” the official added.
A century-old bridge reconstructed
Built at a cost of Rs 110 crore, Belasis Bridge connects traffic movement between Nagpada and Tardeo and is a railway overbridge (ROB) that passes above railway tracks. However, a structural audit report in 2018 found that the bridge had outlived its intended lifespan. Following this, the BMC decided to construct a new bridge by pulling down the old structure.
The old structure was demolished in June 2024, after which construction of the new bridge began. Since the bridge will span over railway tracks, the BMC chose to build a cable-stayed bridge to minimise the piling work.
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The new bridge is also cable-stayed and constructed with steel, while the foundation is concrete. The main carriageway of the bridge spans 380 metres in width and features four vehicular lanes to improve traffic flow.
Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India.
Expertise & Authority
Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai.
Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in:
Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting.
City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region.
Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis:
National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019.
State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019.
Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis.
Experience
Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies:
Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014).
Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express.
Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read More
