Mumbai News: Carnac Bridge Ready But Still Shut As BMC Awaits Govt Nod Amid Protests And Public Inconvenience

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is still clueless as when to open the Carnac bridge in South Mumbai for traffic movement. Despite the the local MLA Amin Patel raising the issue in the assembly, BJP minister Ganesh Naik answering that soon opening of the bridge is needed and Shiv Sena UBT and MNS karyakartas protesting against the delay, there are no signs of inauguration so far. 

Senior BMC officials say they are still awaiting orders from the state government. Last week, The Free Press Journal had reported that the bridge is totally ready for use after required load tests, clearances from the Railway and files are also submitted to the seniors, however, the administration is waiting for a formal nod from the CM Devendra Fadnavis' office to open the bridge for traffic.

The citizens continue to suffer. Azhar Khan, a resident of Dongri said, "I have to drop my kids to school every morning in peak hours and since the bridge is closed we are taking a detour. We are desperately waiting for the Carnac bridge to start. It will bring our travel from 20 minutes to 5 minutes."

A police officer from MRA Marg police station said, "The bridge is a crucial connector. For emergency calls, we have to take a long way to reach the spot. The opening of the bridge will serve public."

Although exact reason for the delay in the opening is not known, officials say finalising a new name for the bridge or decision who will do the inauguration could be causing the delay.

"There are no pending works. All tests, site visits are done. There is no reason from the BMC side which is delaying the inauguration. However, one reason could be re-naming the Carnac bridge, it's administrative procedures and finalising inauguration ceremony," said an official. 'Once the government gives the nod, we will remove the barracadings," he added.

Mumbai: MNS, Sena UBT Unite To Protest Over Delay In Carnac Bridge Opening

Shiv Sena UBT's vibhag pramukh, Santosh Shinde who lead the protest last week near the Carnac bridge demanding to open it said, "The BMC had asked four days time to open it. We are following up with the authorities."

The British era Carnac bridge- which connects P D'mello Road to Masjid Bunder- was demolished in November 2022 after the audit termed it structurally weak. At the cost of Rs 60 crore the BMC has rebuilt the bridge.