These bridges were flagged unsafe since 2019, but no major improvements have been made so far.
Mumbai: As Ganeshotsav processions and visarjan festivities began on August 27 and will continue till September 6, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a safety advisory for the sixth consecutive year.
The advisory highlights 12 structurally weak bridges across Central and Western Railway lines, cautioning devotees against overloading, crowding, and risky celebrations on these structures.
The BMC’s Bridge Department issued safety guidelines on Tuesday, identifying the Curry Road Station Bridge, Bridge on Sane Guruji Marg (Arthur Road), Chinchpokli Railway Station Bridge, and P.S. Mandlik Bridge at Byculla was critical, stating they must not bear a total load exceeding 16 tonnes at any time this includes the combined weight of devotees, pedestrians, and vehicles.
The BMC’s advisory strictly prohibits the use of loudspeakers, dancing, or singing on these bridges. Devotees are urged to enjoy the festivities only after safely crossing them. A senior civic official stated, “Police will be deployed during processions to ensure safety.”
These bridges were flagged unsafe since 2019, but no major improvements have been made so far. After the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) handed them over to BMC, the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute inspected the bridges and recommended major and minor repairs. While repair work has started on a few bridges, maintenance on others will begin post-monsoon.
List of Unsafe Bridges
Central Railway: Ghatkopar Rail Over Bridge, Curry Road Station Bridge, Bridge on Sane Guruji Marg (Arthur Road – Chinchpokli) and P.S. Mandlik Bridge at Byculla
Western Railway: Marine Lines, Sandhurst Road (between Grant Road and Charni Road), French Bridge (between Grant Road and Charni Road), Kennedy Bridge (between Grant Road and Charni Road), Falkland Bridge (between Grant Road and Mumbai Central), Mahalakshmi Station, Prabhadevi-Carol, and Lokmanya Tilak Railway Over Bridge at Dadar.
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