With happy news of the reopening of the much-awaited Carnac Bridge, commuters in Mumbai can finally relax as they will get relief from the long-standing traffic issues in the region. Here are 5 things to know about the reopening of the Carnac Bridge:
Reopening in June : The 19th century bridge is all set to reopen after three years of extensive renovation. For those who don’t know, Carnac Bridge is a historic bridge in the city and is set to reopen in June 2025. This will also mark an end of a three-year period during which commuters in South Mumbai have faced traffic congestion. The new bridge will replace the 154-year-old British-era structure.
Capacity: The new bridge is designed to handle twice the traffic capacity, with four lanes aimed at dismissing congestion and traffic issues by improving connectivity in the region.
Prime link for South Mumbai commuters: Carnac Bridge connects Masjid Bunder railway station to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). It acts as a major route for vehicles travelling towards P’D Mello Road.
Closure: The bridge was shut in 2014 because of safety concerns and was demolished in 2022. Because of it, there were major disruptions in traffic flow in the region for a long period. People were highly anticipating and waiting for the reopening of the bridge as both daily commuters and businesses relied on it.
Modern infrastructure: The new bridge is 70 m long and 9.5 m wide. It boasts a modern steel superstructure which looks super strong. There are four widened lanes built to accommodate higher traffic volumes. In addition to the increased lane capacity, the bridge will be equipped with a modern and advanced lighting system and updated signage. It will improve safety and navigation for motorists.
Challenges and delays: The rebuilding process was not that easy and met with several roadblocks which caused significant delays. The complications were caused mainly due to encroachments. Before the construction could begin, structures like an electricity substation, temple, police chowky, and gym had to be removed. Despite several obstacles, the project, which cost INR 70 crore, is now all set to reopen.
Pre-Monsoon completion aim: The city’s officials have confirmed that the bridge will be fully operational before the monsoons. As per Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar, the decision was made to open the bridge all at once rather than in phases to prevent construction-related issues.
The fast-paced work also makes sure that the bridge will be ready in time to take care of traffic during the busy monsoon months.