Mumbai: The renowned Carnac Bridge, a vital east-west link over railway tracks in South Mumbai, is scheduled to reopen on June 7, as per the latest information from BMC, after being deemed unsafe for over a decade. The bridge was initially shut down in 2014 for larger vehicles, and it was finally demolished in November 2022, resulting in a 27-hour disruption to Central Railway services.
Although work orders were issued in 2017, no progress was made until the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) began constructing a new bridge in 2018 after the collapse of Gokhale Bridge.
The project encountered numerous delays and occasional work stoppages, largely due to BMC's inaction and challenges in securing necessary traffic NOCs. The demolition process involved over 500 workers and heavy equipment, but the anticipated 19-month timeline for completion proved overly optimistic due to land issues connected to illegal constructions.
At present, the construction of the bridge is being delayed by setbacks in acquiring railway permits, which may extend the completion date into October 2024. To add to the complications, an incident involving the suspension of a 400-ton girder caused injuries and increased railway disruptions, further delaying the installation process.
Despite these challenges, BMC maintains that the bridge will be completed before the onset of the monsoon season, responding to the chief minister's demands, with an official asserting that the project is “on schedule.” Surrounding the construction site are various facilities, including police chowkis and utilities, which added more logistical challenges for the BMC in readying the area for the build. After years of neglect, the completion of the new Carnac Bridge is expected to positively impact the community once more.
The bridge and dock at Carnac Bunder were named in honor of James Rivett Carnac, who served as the Governor of Bombay in 1867. At the northern end, there is a Gujarati inscription that reads 'Kaarnyaak Pul' – the name of the Carnac Bridge, carved in basalt using Gujarati script.
