In a major step towards improving suburban transport infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a reconstruction plan involving seven deteriorating bridges in Mumbai’s western suburbs. The project, estimated at ₹32.64 crore, has been scheduled for completion within two years and will be executed by the civic body’s bridges department.
The proposal includes the demolition and reconstruction of three vehicular bridges and four foot overbridges (FOBs) located in the R/South and P/North wards, which comprise the bustling areas of Kandivali and Malad. Officials confirmed that two of the vehicular bridges are reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures — one positioned near Appa Pada and the other close to the Surbhi Complex in Sainagar, Kandivali East.
Among the pedestrian bridges marked for redevelopment are the 30-meter-long structure near Ramnagar Chawl, as well as those located near Narvane Transit Camp, Gavdevi Road, and the Mahalakshmi Dairy Farm in Hanuman Nagar. Due to safety concerns, at least two of these footbridges have already been shut down, while others remain only partially accessible. The decision to initiate this large-scale rebuild followed detailed structural audits. The initial evaluation was carried out by SCG Consulting Services, which flagged the poor condition of the bridges. This was later reaffirmed by Structronics Consulting Engineers during a reassessment in 2023. Both firms concluded that the affected structures were beyond repair and required full-scale reconstruction.
Subsequently, the civic body enlisted Femstruct Consulting Engineers as technical consultants to chart out the plan, which includes conceptual drawings, cost estimates, design layouts, and draft tenders. Funding for the project has been included within the BMC’s ₹8,238.73 crore budget allocated for infrastructure development in FY 2025–26. Officials noted that the reconstruction of the seven bridges, inclusive of consultancy fees, will be financed through this broader capital outlay. The rebuilding initiative is expected to significantly enhance safety and mobility for thousands of daily commuters in the Kandivali and Malad belt — a region known for heavy footfall and increasing traffic load.
Share
Tweet
