Mumbai: The iconic Carnac Bridge, an essential east-west connection over railway tracks in South Mumbai, is set to reopen on June 10 after being considered unsafe for more than ten years. Initially closed in 2014 for large vehicles, the bridge was finally taken down in November 2022, causing a 27-hour interruption to Central Railway services.
Despite work orders released in 2017, no advancements occurred until the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) started building a new bridge in 2018 after the Gokhale Bridge fell.
The project faced several delays and occasional shutdowns, primarily because of BMC's lack of action and difficulties in obtaining required traffic NOCs. The demolition required more than 500 workers and heavy machinery, but the intended 19-month completion schedule turned out to be ambitious because of land availability problems linked to illegal buildings.
Currently, the bridge's construction is hindered by delays in obtaining railway permissions, which may lead to an extended timeline into October 2024. To complicate the situation even more, an event concerning the suspension of a 400-ton girder caused injuries and heightened railway obstructions, leading to delays in installation.
Despite these obstacles, BMC insists that the bridge will be finished before the monsoon season, addressing the chief minister's pressure, with an official claiming that the project is “on schedule.” Encircling the building site are multiple facilities, such as police chowkis and utilities, which presented further logistical difficulties for the BMC in preparing the area for construction. Following years of disregard, the finishing of the new Carnac Bridge intends to effectively benefit the community once more.
