The reopening of the Delisle Bridge in Mumbai after a five-year closure is a significant relief for commuters heading to South Mumbai. The bridge, closed in 2018 due to structural concerns, underwent reconstruction as a collaborative effort between the BMC and Western Railway. Despite facing challenges, such as shortages of oxygen and gravel during the pandemic, and missing multiple deadlines, the bridge has finally reopened to traffic. The Delisle Bridge is a vital link for pedestrians and commuters accessing commercial and office complexes in Lower Parel, providing essential connectivity in the region.
After a protracted five-year closure, the Delisle Bridge in Mumbai has officially reopened its lanes on Thursday, bringing long-awaited relief to commuters heading to South Mumbai. Closed in July 2018 due to structural concerns raised by IIT-Bombay, the reconstruction of the Delisle Bridge began in 2022 through a collaborative effort by the BMC and Western Railway. The ambitious project faced challenges such as oxygen shortages during the pandemic and a scarcity of gravel, causing it to miss three deadlines. A notable feat involved installing two massive 90-meter girders, each weighing a staggering 1100 tonnes, over the Western Railway tracks. Overcoming these hurdles, the southern portion of the bridge was finally handed over for demolition in October 2022, marking a significant step forward. However, the installation of two escalators and four approach staircases aimed at enhancing pedestrian convenience remains pending. The reopening of Delisle Bridge holds crucial importance as a vital link for pedestrians and commuters heading towards various commercial and office complexes in Lower Parel, including Kamala Mills Compound and High Street Phoenix. Since its closure in July 2018, the absence of this crucial connector has posed considerable challenges for locals and office-goers. In a phased approach, a portion of the bridge connecting G K Marg with N M Joshi Marg was reopened on June 1. Subsequently, on September 18, one arm of the part linking Lower Parel to Currey Road was reopened, while work continued on the other arm. The entire bridge is now open to traffic from November 23. The approach roads of Delisle Bridge at Lower Parel on N M Joshi Marg and Ganpatrao Kadam Marg were inaugurated by Mumbai city district guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar and Mumbai suburban guardian minister MP Lodha. The bhumi poojan ceremony also saw the presence of MLAs Ashish Shelar, Sunil Shinde, Rajhans Singh, and local MP Arvind Sawant. Now featuring three lanes in each direction, the Delisle Bridge aims to facilitate smoother traffic flow with additional staircases and escalators for pedestrian convenience. The BMC's bridges department, following orders from civic chief and administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal, accelerated work to complete the finishing touches, ensuring the safety and functionality of this crucial infrastructure.
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