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BMC has decided to rehabilitate residents of MHADA cessed buildings and BMC-owned structures in E-ward to remove barriers to completing Hancock Bridge reconstruction. The bridge, demolished in 2016 and partially reopened in 2022, has faced delays due to pending rehabilitation, legal, and technical issues. With new directives to prioritize residential and commercial relocation and prepare tenders for remaining work, BMC is set to restart construction soon. This effort aims to restore full connectivity, ease congestion, and enhance commuter safety, marking progress in one of Mumbai's long-delayed infrastructure projects.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken a significant step to ensure the completion of the long-delayed Hancock Bridge project by agreeing to provide rehabilitation tenements to residents of MHADA cessed buildings and 36 BMC-owned structures in the city's E-ward. The move aims to remove obstacles that have stalled the reconstruction for years due to pending rehabilitation and legal clearances. Advertisement
During a review meeting chaired by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, and attended by officials from the traffic police and technical departments, the BMC finalized plans to relocate affected residents before starting demolition and reconstruction activities. Chief Bridge Engineer Uttam Shrote highlighted that once tenements are allotted and old structures cleared, the civic body is ready to issue tenders for the remaining works. The tender document has already been prepared, and work orders could be released within a month.
Hancock Bridge was originally demolished by Central Railway in January 2016 after being declared unsafe. BMC's reconstruction efforts were completed in February 2020, and one arm of the bridge was opened for traffic in August 2022. However, the completion of approach roads on both sides remained delayed due to legal, technical, and rehabilitation challenges. On the western side, MHADA cessed buildings and commercial units fell within the new alignment, while on the eastern side, several commercial establishments were affected by the road redesign.
BMC has now directed relevant departments to prioritise rehabilitation of these commercial and residential units. Officials also emphasized widening road stretches where necessary and completing all remaining civil works without delay. By addressing these long-standing issues and fast-tracking rehabilitation, the BMC aims to restore full bridge connectivity, easing traffic congestion in the area and improving commuter safety.
The move also reflects lessons from past delays, as similar infrastructure projects in Mumbai have faced setbacks when resident relocation and legal approvals were not handled promptly. By combining structured rehabilitation with immediate tendering of pending works, BMC is positioning the project for timely completion and ensuring that the benefits of the reconstructed Hancock Bridge reach the public soon.
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