6 yrs on, no sign of new Hancock Bridge

The work on the approach road to Hancock Bridge is still not completed despite more than six years having passed since the bridge was demolished in 2016. Now, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) claims that work is in progress and the approach road for two lanes (half portion) will be completed by May 2022. Meanwhile, local residents and activists have expressed doubts and blame the civic body for the lackadaisical approach of the agencies concerned, causing a delay in the completion of one of the most important projects of South Mumbai.

“The first girder for the Hancock Bridge was launched in July 2020. In January 2021, it was opened for pedestrian movement only. After that in the first week of June 2021, work for launching the second girder was also completed. But even after more than 9 months of work on the approach road it is still not completed,” local resident Jyoti Rathod said, adding that she is not convinced by the BMC's claims keeping in mind the pace of work.

Another local resident and RTI activist, Kamalakar Shenoy said, “The whole of Mazgaon and Dongri is full of traffic jams. The administration is misleading citizens by concealing the facts.”

Meanwhile, BMC officials are hopeful of completing work pertaining to the approach road (two lanes) by May 2022. “Construction of the approach road for two lanes is in progress and will be completed by May 2022,” BMC’s chief engineer (bridges) S Thosar told FPJ on Sunday.

The Hancock Bridge was used by thousands of motorists and bikers for east to west movement between the Sandhurst Road and Byculla railway stations. Now they need to travel around 3 km more to cross over, leading to traffic congestion in the vicinity. The British-era bridge was built in 1879 and underwent reconstruction in 1923. It was demolished in January 2016 due to its low height. At the time, the cost of reconstruction was estimated at approximately Rs 50 crore. Now the cost has apparently gone up by Rs 25 crore. The cost is likely to go up further by Rs 11 crore. The BMC is planning to invite fresh tenders for the extra work that needs to be done in order to make the bridge fully operational.

When asked about the increase in cost, a BMC official said it is because of the extra work added to the initial plan. However, locals allege that the increase is on account of delays.