Changing City: Mumbai’s first cable-stayed bridge after Sea Link to become operational in November

The new Reay Road bridge will be a state-of-the-art structure with four vehicular lanes and a separate footpath for pedestrian movement.

The cost of this project is being pegged at Rs 175 crore. (Express Phot by Ganesh Shirshekar)

The new Reay Road bridge, the first cable-stayed bridge in Mumbai after the Bandra Worli Sea Link, will become operational in November. Here’s why the road is being built and what the project entails

The project

The century-old Reay Road bridge is being reconstructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) along with the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) to facilitate seamless traffic movement.

Why Reay Road bridge had to be reconstructed

The old Reay Road bridge was constructed in 1911 with black basalt stones that were majorly used for civil engineering works during that era. However, with changing times, the traffic load on the bridge increased and the structure started corroding. As a result, authorities mooted the idea of reconstructing the bridge. The old structure was demolished in 2022, following which construction of this new bridge began.

The new bridge

The new bridge is set to be a state-of-the-art structure with four vehicular lanes and is being constructed along the lines of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The new Reay Road bridge will be 220 metres long and will have a separate footpath to ensure smooth pedestrian movement. The newly constructed structure will also have an aesthetic outlook along with selfie points that are being created at two ends of the bridge.

Location of the bridge

This bridge will be built near the Reay Road station and will pass above the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) in a way that traffic movement on the highway is not obstructed. Reay Road is one of the important areas in downtown Mumbai and a heavy volume of traffic passes through this intersection towards and from Byculla and further down to Colaba, Churchgate and other south Mumbai locations.

Project cost and status

The cost of this project is being pegged at Rs 175 crore. Currently, 90 per cent of the construction work is complete. The bridge is set to be opened for vehicular movement in November.

Administration speak

“The Reay Road bridge will be the first cable-stayed bridge in Mumbai that is being built entirely on the landmass. This bridge is going to be a landmark project that will provide ease of connectivity in south Mumbai. The design of this bridge was planned in a way so that it provides an added aesthetic value to the city’s skyline,” said Abhijit Bangar, additional municipal commissioner, projects.

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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