BMC razes 70-year-old Patel bridge, to construct new one
Constructed in 1953, the bridge connected the western side of Charni Road Station to the Mafatlal Swimming Pool situated on the far western side, across the road.
According to officials, the BMC has plans to develop a new bridge with state-of- the-art model and new technology, in place of the demolished structure.
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After a wait of four years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) razed Marine Drive’s Ambalal Patel Road Over-Bridge (ROB), popularly known as Patel bridge, in a move which has been touted as precautionary. The civic body plans to erect a new bridge in place of the demolished structure.
Constructed in 1953, the bridge connected the western side of Charni Road Station to the Mafatlal Swimming Pool situated on the far western side, across the road.
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The notice to demolish the structure had been rolled out in October 2022, after reports of two audits conducted by the BMC — in 2019 and 2022 — revealed that the structure of the bridge was not fit enough to keep it operational.
“During our inspection, it was found that the decades-old structure’s steel members had become corroded. Furthermore, we found that the structure was in dilapidated condition. Hence, the decision to demolish the structure was taken,” said a civic body official, requesting anonymity.
The 70-year-old structure had been developed privately, with A J Patel, who later formed the Patel Trust, funding the construction work. The Trust had four members – two each nominated by Patel and the BMC. The BMC-nominated members were officials from the bridges and assessment and collection departments.
In a bid to meet the larger public interest, the trustees consented to pull down the bridge, in a meeting concluded last year, on September 21.
According to officials, the BMC has plans to develop a new bridge with state-of- the-art model and new technology, in place of the demolished structure. “Besides coming to the aid of daily commuters, the project also looks to appeal to the tourists who flock to Mumbai,” the official told Express on Saturday.
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The civic body has chalked out the drawings and the consultant on the project has been also appointed. “After we obtain all permissions, work on the construction will also start in the coming months,” added the official.
Activist Zoru Bhathena said, “This was the first bridge in Mumbai to have escalators installed, in the 1980s. I have very fond memories of the bridge as this was the first public escalator in the city and we would visit it very often.”
Nayonika Bose is a Trainee Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau. While in the early stages of her career, her focused reporting on local governance and community welfare already demonstrates clear Expertise and Trustworthiness in covering essential civic issues impacting Mumbai's residents.
Expertise & Authority (E-E-A-T)
Specialized Focus: Nayonika's reporting is dedicated to civic and community issues, providing readers with highly relevant, ground-level information about the functionality and administration of India's largest metropolitan area.
Core Coverage Areas: Her articles highlight a strong focus on the fundamental quality of life and public safety in Mumbai, including:
Civic Infrastructure: Reports on critical failures and initiatives related to public works, such as the recurring problem of unauthorized building collapses in Navi Mumbai, the construction of new infrastructure projects (like the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road and the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge), and the maintenance of essential city services (e.g., manhole cover theft).
Urban Governance & Crisis Management: Provides detailed coverage of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) response to major crises, particularly during the monsoon (e.g., heavy rainfall, water cuts, and public health concerns like dengue and malaria) and large-scale public safety incidents (e.g., the hoarding collapse fallout).
Community Welfare & Rights: Reports on key social issues, including the financial aid scheme for persons with disabilities, the struggles of Mumbai's hawkers protesting eviction drives, and the dangers faced by workers due to the continuation of manual scavenging in water tanks.
Cultural & Heritage Reporting: Covers significant community stories, including the restoration of British-era fountains and the history of institutions like the 126-year-old Chinchpokli cemetery, showing a breadth of interest beyond pure administration.
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