For over a century, the 104-year-old Y-bridge has been a major bottleneck for motorists travelling through Byculla. However, that could soon change as the BMC races to complete a new ₹287-crore cable-stayed bridge by December 2026, along with a flyover connecting it to Mazgaon. The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time between CSMT and Byculla, bringing the journey down from the current 30-45 minutes to less than 10 minutes. Read on to know more.
What Is Mumbai’s Byculla Project?
Built in 1922, the distinctive Y-shaped bridge in Byculla has long carried traffic travelling to and from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The structure passes over the railway lines near Sandhurst Road and Byculla stations.
An IIT-Bombay-led structural audit declared the century-old bridge unsafe in 2018, prompting the BMC to plan a new cable-stayed bridge over the existing structure. Construction began in 2020, with the project being carried out by the BMC in collaboration with the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC), also known as MahaRail. Starting near the Mahanagar Gas station on the CSMT side, the new bridge will have two arms. One will connect towards Deccan Merchant Cooperative Bank in Byculla East, while the other will extend towards the Mumbai Fire Brigade headquarters in Byculla West.
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Alongside the cable-stayed bridge, the civic body is also working on an 892-metre flyover that will connect with the new bridge and provide smoother access towards Mazgaon. Once the entire corridor is operational, commuters travelling between CSMT in Fort and Byculla are expected to complete the journey in less than 10 minutes, compared with the current 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.
Key Details Of The Bridge
- Total Length: 916 metres
- Height: 9.70 metres
- Pylon Height: 50 metres
- Total Lanes: 4
- Selfie Points: 1
- Expected Completion: December 2026
- Project Cost: ₹287 crore
A senior BMC official told The Indian Express that the work on the cable-stayed bridge is progressing, with construction currently focused on the approach roads. The civic body is targeting completion by December 2026.
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Once the new bridge is ready, traffic will be shifted onto the cable-stayed structure. The BMC will then begin work to connect the existing Y-bridge, allowing construction to continue without disrupting traffic movement. The official also stated that the phased approach is aimed at ensuring that road traffic remains largely unhindered while the remaining work is carried out.
Good news for Mumbai and Byculla residents.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
What is Byculla famous for?
Byculla is famous for its rich colonial history, diverse cultural heritage, and iconic public landmarks like the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo (commonly known as Byculla Zoo) and the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum.
Is Byculla a good area in Mumbai?
Byculla is a rapidly transforming, centrally located area in South Mumbai that offers a mix of heritage charm and luxury high-rise living, though it still deals with congestion and older, cramped pockets.
Why is it called Byculla?
Byculla, a neighborhood in Mumbai, gets its name from the Marathi word "Bhaikhale," which likely combines "Bhai" (a person's name or a priest/Bawa) with "khale" (threshing floor or level ground/farm).