The century-old Bellasis Bridge is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation aiming to beat its own deadline for its reconstruction. Originally built in 1893, the bridge that connects the neighbourhoods of Nagpada and Tardeo across Mumbai Central’s railway lines is now the centre of both civic optimism and local anxiety.
With reconstruction works now underway and the civic body targeting completion by December 2025—six months ahead of the official June 2026 deadline—the project offers rare hope for timely execution in a city where infrastructure delays are often the norm. The decision to rebuild was prompted by a structural audit conducted in 2018, which revealed considerable wear and tear on the colonial-era structure. Over 25,000 commuters depended daily on the bridge, underscoring its importance in south Mumbai’s traffic matrix. While demolition began only in June 2024 due to delays in institutional coordination between BMC and the Western Railway, the two authorities have now agreed to a joint redevelopment effort. The bridge is being redesigned as a cable-stayed structure, with the BMC contributing ₹70 crore and the Western Railway ₹40 crore, and will see the number of lanes increase from four to six, promising smoother vehicular flow in a choked urban corridor.
However, beyond the engineering milestones and financial planning lies a parallel human narrative. Beneath the very arches of the Bellasis Bridge, a 100-year-old fish market run predominantly by women has been thrust into uncertainty. Sixteen structures along the alignment are to be affected by the reconstruction, but it is the fate of these fisherwomen that has stirred unease. While a section has reportedly been offered alternative premises, others—especially those without official licences—are staring at displacement without clarity or compensation. With livelihoods at stake, fisherwomen have threatened a protest on April 21 if a satisfactory resolution is not reached in forthcoming meetings with BMC officials.
The reconstruction, though necessary, exposes a tension that frequently shadows India’s urban modernisation—progress at the cost of heritage and livelihood. The Bellasis Bridge may be getting a facelift to meet 21st-century demands, but the voices of those rooted in its 20th-century foundations cannot be sidelined. The bridge, a conduit of concrete and steel, also connects lives, histories, and communities. While the BMC’s ambition to accelerate the project is commendable and could set a precedent for timely delivery, it is equally critical that urban development remains inclusive and humane. Infrastructure must not just be robust but also responsive, ensuring that no community is left behind in the march towards a more connected Mumbai.
Mumbai bridge rebuild faces local resistance
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