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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved the demolition and rebuilding of seven ageing bridges, three for vehicles and four for pedestrians, across Kandivali and Malad, at an estimated cost of Rs 330 million. This comprehensive redevelopment forms part of a wider initiative to enhance urban mobility and improve safety for commuters in busy neighbourhoods.
The project, spanning two administrative zones, R/South ward (Kandivali) and P/North ward (Malad), follows detailed structural assessments that declared these bridges unsafe for use.
Officials confirmed that two of the pedestrian footbridges have already been closed for safety reasons, with others partially restricted due to deterioration. These long-neglected civic assets, vital for the daily travel of thousands of Mumbaikars, had not undergone significant upgrades in decades.
The bridges scheduled for reconstruction include two reinforced cement concrete (RCC) vehicular bridges, located near Appa Pada and Surbhi Complex in Sainagar, Kandivali East. Additionally, four footbridges are set to be rebuilt, situated near Ramnagar Chawl, Narvane Transit Camp, Gavdevi Road, and Mahalakshmi Dairy Farm. The total length of the new structures will amount to nearly 150 metres of crucial linkways within Mumbai’s densely populated suburbs.
Civic officials stated that the decision came after two comprehensive structural audits. The first, conducted by an independent consultancy, flagged all seven bridges as urgently requiring demolition. A subsequent second audit reaffirmed these findings, prompting the BMC’s Bridges Department to formalise plans for reconstruction. A specialised technical consultant was engaged to prepare conceptual designs, tender documents, and cost estimates.
Funding for the rebuild will come from the BMC’s Rs 82.39 billion allocation for bridges within the 2025–2026 budget. The project is expected to take up to 24 months to complete. Once finished, the new bridges will meet higher safety standards and incorporate improved accessibility, drainage, and pedestrian-friendly features.
This initiative aligns with Mumbai’s broader aim to develop resilient and sustainable infrastructure, supporting its vision of becoming a zero-carbon, equitable city. By focusing on these critical connections, the redevelopment not only addresses existing faults but also aims to future-proof the city’s transport network.
Residents, particularly those undertaking daily inter-ward travel, are expected to benefit from safer and more efficient commutes once the projects are completed. The civic authorities’ proactive approach marks a shift from reactive repairs to preventive infrastructure management, an encouraging development in Mumbai’s ongoing efforts to modernise its urban landscape.
