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Changing City: Cable-stayed Bellasis Bridge to become operational in South Mumbai in October

Bellaris Bridge is a railway overbridge in South Mumbai that connects traffic between Nagpada and Tardeo.

Bellasis Bridge operational, south mumbai, indian express

Located between Mumbai Central and Grant Road in the island city, Bellasis is a Railway Overbridge (ROB) that passes above railway tracks. (Source: Express Photo)

A new cable-stayed Bellasis Bridge in south Mumbai will become operational in October, improving vehicle movement in the island city. Located between Mumbai Central and Grant Road in the island city, the old Bellasis Bridge was built in 1893.

A key east-west connector, this bridge connects traffic movement between Nagpada and Tardeo and is a railway overbridge (ROB) that passes above railway tracks. However, following a structural audit report in 2018, it was found that the bridge has lived its age. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) decided to construct a new bridge by pulling down the old structure.

New bridge to have six lanes

The new bridge will be cable-stayed and constructed with steel, while the foundation will be made of concrete. The clearance between the railway tracks and the bridge girder will be 6.5 metres, which is an increase compared to the previous bridge. The bridge will span 380 metres in width and feature six vehicular lanes to improve traffic flow, up from the three previously.

Current status of the project

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 required.

Cost and timeline

The total cost for construction and demolition is approximately Rs 110 crore. Civic authorities have allocated Rs 70 crore for this project, while the railway department is expected to contribute Rs 40 crore. Since the bridge crosses the railway tracks, the railways carried out the demolition work.

Administration speaks

Speaking to The Indian Express, Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), said, “Instead of opening only one arm at a time, we are working hard to make sure that the entire Bellasis Bridge is ready by the second half of this year since it’s a major lifeline in south Mumbai. This bridge will be an addition to the other two new bridges: Reay Road Bridge, which was opened last year, and Carnac Bridge, which will be opened later this year. As a result, once this bridge becomes ready, traffic movement will ease significantly.”

Pratip Acharya

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

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