Mumbai’s Bellasis Bridge—one of South Mumbai’s most critical east-west connectors—may reopen by December 2025, a full six months ahead of its original June 2026 completion deadline.
The accelerated progress of the bridge, jointly reconstructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Western Railway with an allocated budget of INR 114 crore, signals a much-needed momentum in easing congestion in the city’s dense southern corridors. Strategically located near Mumbai Central station, the 360-metre six-lane bridge is integral to the arterial traffic movement between Tardeo and Nagpada, serving thousands of daily commuters from residential and commercial zones alike. Originally constructed in 1893, the bridge was declared structurally unsafe and brought down in June 2024 following prolonged deterioration. In a city where infrastructure timelines routinely stretch into years of delays, this proposed early reopening is being seen as a rare example of coordinated execution and institutional will.
The early mobilisation was enabled through preemptive tendering and effective inter-agency coordination. While the original construction timeline was set to begin in mid-2025, preparatory groundwork commenced well in advance, with on-site activities anticipated to start by June 2024. This forward planning has positioned the project to potentially meet its ambitious December 2025 target. Civic officials have cited the lessons learnt from previous infrastructure delays, such as the Gokhale Bridge in Andheri, as instrumental in synchronising efforts with railway authorities and circumventing bureaucratic gridlocks.
Yet, the project is not without its challenges. Local fisherfolk have raised objections citing the bridge area as a traditional fishing ground, threatening their livelihoods and stirring tensions over rehabilitation. According to BMC officials, out of the 27 affected families, only eight possess valid documentation for fishing rights and residency—complicating efforts for equitable resettlement. The dispute underscores a recurring faultline in Mumbai’s urban development story, where progress often collides with the precarious existence of informal communities whose rights remain ambiguously defined in official records.
The Bellasis Bridge project is part of a broader urban overhaul aimed at replacing ageing infrastructure with modern alternatives. It joins a growing list of bridges under revamp—including Carnac, Delisle, and Gokhale—that are collectively expected to transform the way Mumbai moves. As the city witnesses an infrastructural renaissance with mega projects like the Mumbai Coastal Road and the metro rail network taking shape, last-mile connectivity through bridges such as Bellasis remains a key determinant of accessibility, equity, and urban resilience.
If the Bellasis Bridge is indeed completed on the revised timeline, it will not only bring tangible relief to commuters but also serve as a blueprint for civic accountability and efficient infrastructure delivery. In a city often held hostage by red tape and sluggish execution, such a milestone offers a glimmer of what timely, citizen-centric governance can look like in India’s urban landscape. Bellasis Bridge reconstruction may finish by December 2025
South Mumbais traffic set to ease as Bellasis Bridge nears early reopening
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