The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing to open the newly reconstructed Belasis Bridge to the public, with officials indicating it could become the first major infrastructure project inaugurated by Mumbai's incoming mayor. The 130-year-old bridge, a crucial east-west connector in South Mumbai, has been completely rebuilt in just 15 months at a cost of Rs 110 crore.
Final Approvals Pending Before Public Opening
Civic authorities have confirmed that construction of Belasis Bridge was completed on January 6, 2026, and since then, finishing work including road signage painting, divider installation, and signal placement has been underway. The BMC has now initiated the process to obtain no-objection certificates (NOCs) from both the railways and the Mumbai traffic department, as the bridge passes above railway tracks.
"Since the bridge will pass above railway tracks, we require NOCs from both these agencies. It will take approximately one week for the NOCs to come through, following which the bridge will be opened for public transportation," explained a BMC official familiar with the project.
Timeline Coincides with Mayoral Election
The bridge opening timeline interestingly coincides with Mumbai's mayoral election scheduled for January 31, 2026. This marks the city's first mayoral election after a four-year hiatus, following the recent BMC election results. The state government is currently conducting a lottery to determine reservation categories for mayoral seats across 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai.
"Even though the timeline of the mayor taking over office coincides with the completion of all procedural work for opening the bridge, it is not a deliberate move. If the NOC comes through at the end of next week, the bridge could be opened by the mayor. However, the election is a judicial process, and in case of any delay, no attempts will be made to stall the opening since it would inconvenience people," the official clarified.
Engineering and Design Features
The new Belasis Bridge represents significant engineering advancement over its predecessor. After a 2018 structural audit revealed the original bridge had exceeded its intended lifespan, the BMC decided to demolish and completely reconstruct the structure. Demolition occurred in June 2024, with construction beginning immediately afterward.
Key features of the new bridge include:
- Cable-stayed design to minimize piling work over railway tracks
- Steel construction with concrete foundation
- 380-meter wide main carriageway
- Four vehicular lanes to improve traffic flow
- Connection between Nagpada and Tardeo areas
Potential Delays and Precedents
Officials acknowledged that the traffic department sometimes requests modifications before granting NOCs, which could potentially delay the opening. "In many cases, the traffic department provides input on restructuring some aspect of a bridge before giving its NOC. For example, when the BMC opened Carnac Bridge last year, the traffic department pointed out that a certain portion of the road would need resurfacing," noted the official.
If similar suggestions emerge for Belasis Bridge, the inauguration process might be pushed back by approximately one week. However, authorities emphasized that public convenience remains the priority, and the bridge will open as soon as all necessary approvals are secured, regardless of mayoral inauguration timing.
The opening of Belasis Bridge represents not only improved connectivity for South Mumbai residents but also symbolizes renewed civic infrastructure development under Mumbai's reconstituted municipal leadership.
