Matunga’s New Z Bridge Set to Open by February 15, Promising Enhanced Connectivity and Safety
The long-awaited new Z bridge in Matunga is expected to open by February 15, 2025, finally offering relief to the thousands of commuters and residents who have endured a year of inconvenience since the closure of the old bridge. The original Z bridge, a crucial east-west link between Matunga station on the Central Railway (CR) and Matunga Road station on the Western Railway (WR), was closed in January 2024 due to its dilapidated condition. Now, after months of construction, the new bridge promises to be a significant upgrade, offering better connectivity and modern features.
For residents and commuters, the closure of the old bridge last year has meant enduring a long detour that has added significant travel time to their daily routines. Matunga is home to a bustling community, with numerous educational institutions, including Ruia College, Ruparel College, Khalsa College, and Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, in addition to a busy vegetable and flower market. The Z bridge was a vital link for students, officegoers, and locals who frequently crossed between the east and west sides of Matunga. The new Z bridge, set to be much wider and taller than its predecessor, will feature state-of-the-art amenities that were lacking in the previous structure. Railway officials have highlighted that the new bridge will have brighter lighting with better lux levels, making it safer, especially at night. Additionally, the bridge will be covered with a roof to prevent accidents in the area, which sees occasional crane activity due to the proximity of the Matunga carriage workshop. This development marks a significant improvement over the old open-air bridge, which was known for its cramped space and safety hazards.
The delay in opening the bridge has caused frustration among residents and commuters. Mahalakshmi Ravinarayan, a senior tutor, shared her frustration, explaining that the closure of the bridge has affected her daily routines. “I used to take regular walks from the west to the east for shopping, temple visits, and meeting friends. Now, with the bridge closed, I have to take a detour through Dadar or navigate the labour camp route, which is very inconvenient,” she said. Ravinarayan hopes that the bridge will open soon, particularly before the start of the academic year, to benefit students who rely on the bridge to access their educational institutions. Students, too, have been severely impacted by the closure. Shreyas Shinde, a local student, explained that the closure has increased his daily commute time significantly. “What used to be a 10-minute walk has now become a 30-minute ordeal. It’s especially difficult during the monsoon when taking a longer route is uncomfortable and unsafe,” Shinde added. The Z bridge had previously offered a quick and direct route for students attending colleges like Ruia and Khalsa.
Architect and transport planner Aditya Rane recounted his own frustrations with the closure. Attending a wedding in Matunga, he found himself walking for 25 minutes with his family, unable to find a taxi, and forced to navigate an unlit road. “It was a very inconvenient experience. A bridge that once made it easy to cross between the two sides of Matunga has become a major obstacle in the daily life of many residents,” he said. As the opening of the new Z bridge draws closer, commuters and locals are hopeful that the new infrastructure will make their daily lives easier, improving connectivity and providing safer passage. With its upgraded features, the bridge is expected to become an essential part of Matunga’s infrastructure, bringing much-needed convenience to the busy area. The Matunga Z bridge, once a small, century-old structure, is now poised to be a modern, more accessible gateway for the thousands who rely on it every day.