BMC sets January 2025 for Carnac Bridge girder work, aims June reopening | File Photo
Mumbai: The BMC plans to install the second girder of the 154-year-old Carnac Bridge on January 19, 2025, pending approval from the railway for a block. Approximately 428 metric tons of the steel girder components for the second side of the bridge have already been delivered to the site at Masjid Bundar, with the remaining components expected by December 20, 2024. With this, the civic body has set a deadline to complete the reconstruction and reopen the highly anticipated bridge to traffic by June 5, 2025.
Carnac Bunder ROB, connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Masjid Bunder, was closed to heavy vehicles in 2014. Its reconstruction faced delays due to the ongoing Hancock Bridge work and encroachments.
With 80% of the work completed, including the launch of the first girder weighing 516 metric tonnes, the second girder’s launch has been postponed to January 2025. Additional municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar along with the officials of the bridge department visited the site for an inspection of the ongoing work on Thursday.
“Till now 83% of the steel girder components for the second side of the Carnac Bridge have arrived at the site. The remaining components are expected to be delivered by next week. The assembly of these components will be completed by January 13, followed by a ‘Trial Run’ on January 14, 2025. We have requested the Central Railway administration for a block on January 18 and 19, 2025. Upon receiving the railway block, the installation of the girder will be completed by January 19, 2025. We are coordinating closely with the Central Railway to ensure smooth execution of this timeline,” said Bangar.
After the completion of the girder installation on the railway, the work on the first phase of piling foundation for the east and west approach roads will be completed by March 15, 2025. Followed by erection of pillars is scheduled to be completed by April 17, the concreting of approach roads by May 3 and the load testing on June 1, 2025.
“Given this timeline, the BMC is committed to making the Carnac Bridge operational for traffic by June 5, 2025. However, securing the railway block on January 18 and 19, 2025, is crucial for the timely progress of the construction. Additionally, to minimise delays, parallel activities such as anti-crash barriers and installation of electrical poles will be completed simultaneously alongside the main construction works,” he added. The estimated cost of the bridge is around Rs. 49 crores. The new bridge is 70 metres long and 26.5 metres wide.
