BMC’s first cable-stayed bridge in Mahalaxmi rises quietly beside the old

Unlike the disruptive demolitions of the Elphinstone Sion Lower Parel and Gokhale bridges mdash which threw Mumbairsquos traffic into chaos for years mdash the Mahalaxmi project marks the first time in South Mumbai that entirely new cablestayed bridges are being built without tearing down the existing one This smart approach allows the old bridge to continue handling daily traffic while new structures rise quietly alongside avoiding the crippling snarls that plagued earlier reconstructions across the cityrsquos central and western suburbsThe new Mahalaxmi bridge a crucial eastwest connector now being redeveloped into a sleek cablestayed structure PICASHISH RAJEThe new Mahalaxmi bridge a crucial eastwest connector now being redeveloped into a sleek cablestayed structure has already crossed the halfway mark with civil work progressing smoothly next to the existing bridge This bridge is being built on the southern side of the current one while a second parallel bridge will come up on the north connecting the Worli end to Saat Rasta via Dhobi GhatThe alignment of the underconstruction bridge begins just beyond Haji Ali Circle arches over the railway lines parallel to the existing bridge and lands at Saat Rasta Junction on Anandilal P Marg near the CID office mdash easing one of the cityrsquos worst choke points According to officials the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC is executing the project in phases to avoid disrupting the heavy traffic on the existing bridge The new bridge will be around 803 metres long and 172 metres wide expanding to 2301 metres within railway limitsThe new bridge is being built on the southern side of the current one while a second parallel bridge will come up on the north end PicsRajendra B AklekarThe current structure will stay operational until the new bridge is ready Once traffic is diverted work to dismantle the old bridge may begin The second bridge connecting E Moses Road to Dhobi Ghat Road on the north side of Mahalaxmi station will be 639 metres long Both will feature fourlane carriagewaysldquoWithin railway boundaries work will proceed in phases with necessary approvals The construction of the bridge spans is expected to take around 200 days Wersquove set December 2026 as the completion targetrdquo said Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar The new bridge is expected to streamline eastndashwest connectivity particularly between Jacob Circle Saat Rasta and Mahalaxmi railway stationCitizen voicesRishikesh Davda commuterldquoCrossing Mahalaxmi during peak hours has always been a nightmare If this bridge really opens by 2026end itrsquoll save me 1520 minutes every dayrdquoShrinarayan Tiwari taxi driverldquoThe jams here eat into our trips and fuel A wider smoother bridge will make a big difference if they finish it on time The Sion and Elphinstone closures have already hit us hardrdquoJatin Amne local shop ownerldquoThe workrsquos been quiet but once done it should reduce congestion and bring more customers without the usual chaos A few structures had to make way thoughrdquoJatin Amne local shop ownerldquoThe workrsquos been quiet but once done it should reduce congestion and bring more customers without the usual chaos A few structures had to make way thoughrdquoLocationHaji Ali Circle Saat Rasta Junction Anandilal P Marg near CID officeParallel to Existing Mahalaxmi bridgeBenefitsgtgt Major congestion relief at Mahalaxmi choke pointgtgt Streamlined eastwest connectivitygtgt Better access to Jacob Circle Saat Rasta and Mahalaxmi stationgtgt Smoother Haji AliArthur Road linkTimelineTarget completion December 2026Key specsgtgt Length 803 mgtgt Width 172 m 2301 m within railway limitsgtgt Lanes 4gtgt Additional bridge 639 mE Moses Road Dhobi Ghat RoadExecutiongtgt By BMC in phases to avoid traffic disruptiongtgt Railway span construction 200 daysgtgt Existing bridge operational until completion