Mumbai: Two-Wheelers Begin Using Carnac Bridge Even As Official Opening Awaits CM’s Green Signal

Mumbai : Even before its formal inauguration, the newly constructed Carnac Bridge in South Mumbai is already witnessing movement from two-wheelers and pedestrians. Despite being officially unopened, local commuters have begun using the vital east-west connector between P D’mello Road and Mohammad Ali Road to save time and avoid congested alternate routes.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has completed all structural work on the bridge, including load testing and securing the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Railways. However, the final go-ahead from Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is still awaited.“It is only a matter of a couple of days. We are hopeful the bridge will be opened for traffic this week itself,” a senior civic official stated.

Sources in the BMC have confirmed that the bridge may be opened to the public without any formal inauguration ceremony, similar to the approach taken with the Vikhroli bridge earlier this year. The files related to the project have been submitted to senior authorities, and no technical clearance is pending.

A visit by The Free Press Journal on Monday revealed that several bikers and pedestrians are already using the bridge unofficially. While barricades remain in place, commuters are bypassing them to utilize the route, which significantly cuts travel time in the congested southern corridor of Mumbai.

The British-era Carnac Bridge, which previously served as a railway overbridge, was demolished in November 2022 after it was deemed structurally unsafe. The reconstruction project, costing ₹60 crore, was completed on June 10, 2025, followed by load testing on June 15 and the Railway NOC on June 24.

Once officially opened, the bridge is expected to relieve traffic pressure on both P D’mello Road and Mohammad Ali Road, offering a much-needed alternate route to thousands of daily commuters.

While some Mumbaikars expressed concern about safety before formal clearance, most seem eager to see the long-delayed infrastructure back in service.“The bridge is ready. Citizens are already using it. The sooner it opens officially, the better it is for traffic flow and safety,” said a local shopkeeper near the site.

In the coming days, BMC officials expect the official orders to arrive, marking the final step in reopening one of South Mumbai’s most critical road links.