After the Bellasis bridge at Mumbai Central closed in June 2024, passengers faced severe inconvenience. The closure cut off the east-west pedestrian route across the station, making daily travel difficult for commuters. To solve this, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Western Railway (WR) quickly built a temporary foot-over bridge (FOB).
This footbridge is unique because of its quick construction, completed in under six months. It offers connectivity between the east and west sides of the station. The escalators are also being installed, but the bridge is already open to the public.
The footbridge was a well-planned effort. It starts near the station entrance in the east, crosses the railway tracks, and lands near JBB Road outside the Tardeo station on the west. A stairway provides easy access to Mumbai Central station.
Currently, escalators are also being installed on the west side, expected to be ready in two months.
This is the first time in Mumbai’s suburban railway history that a temporary FOB has been built during the reconstruction of an old bridge. The BMC and WR worked together to ensure the project was completed quickly.
They overcame several challenges, including land acquisition and clearing encroachments. The steel structure of the footbridge was designed for quick assembly. The columns and girders were prefabricated and assembled within a few days.
A large crane was used to lift the structure in a single day. The decking was made from chequered plates, saving time compared to traditional reinforced cement concrete. Electrical work was completed quickly, with lighting installed in just one day. The staircase was manufactured off-site and installed at the station.
Despite this success, residents in Wadala are unhappy about plans to block a trespasser shortcut. On Wednesday, they held a small protest to express their anger.
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