Mumbai’s New Cable-Stayed Reay Road Bridge Inaugurated, Set To Cut Commuters Time By 30 Minutes

SOURCE ; NEW18

Last Updated:May 13, 2025, 22:03 IST

The Reay Road bridge, built at a cost of Rs 273 crore, is Mumbai’s first land-based cable-stayed bridge

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constructed Reay Road Road Over Bridge (ROB), aimed at easing east-west traffic congestion in South Mumbai.

The inauguration took place at 7 pm and was part of a dual launch, which also included the Titwala ROB, Mid-Day reported.

The Reay Road bridge, built at a cost of Rs 273 crore, is Mumbai’s first land-based cable-stayed bridge. It stretches 385 metres and connects Mahul Road near the Eastern Freeway to Barrister Nath Pai Marg in Byculla.

With six lanes and two ramps, the bridge is expected to cut travel time by up to 30 minutes for daily commuters. It passes over the Harbour railway line, offering crucial connectivity between Byculla East and Mazgaon.

The bridge, constructed by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC), was completed in over two years, with work beginning in February 2022. The design, featuring six pairs of supporting cables, draws inspiration from the iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Varsha Eknath Gaikwad flagged design flaws, stating that the bridge is not aligned with the iconic station and lacks both footpaths and pedestrian access.

In a post on X, the Congress Mumbai North-Central MP wrote: “Another Masterpiece by the Misaligned Mahayuti! The new Reay Road bridge is not aligned with the iconic station. No footpaths, no access to pedestrians. Basically a bridge made for @mybmc and its contractors’ convenience! Infrastructure in Mumbai is not for the people but for the BMC’s contractors!”

“As usual no one will be fined or taken to task, instead they will clamour to take credit!,” she added.

However, the bridge’s inauguration has not been without controversy. Congress MP Varsha Eknath Gaikwad criticised the MahaYuti government, led by the BJP, for what she called “misaligned planning.” Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Gaikwad wrote, “Another Masterpiece by the Misaligned Mahayuti! The new Reay Road bridge is not aligned with the iconic station. No footpaths, no access to pedestrians. Basically a bridge made for @mybmc and its contractors’ convenience!”

A social media user also pointed out the alignment issue, raising concerns over the bridge’s design.

“Well said, @VarshaEGaikwad Tai. Reay Road Bridge seems like a case study in “Contractor Convenience Engineering”—no alignment with the station, no footpaths, and no concern for commuters. Will this too end up like Gokhale Bridge—full of photo-ops, zero accountability? Public money, private comfort. Infrastructure for whom, exactly?,” he wrote.

The original Reay Road bridge was demolished by the authorities after an IIT assessment declared it unsafe.

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First Published:

May 13, 2025, 22:00 IST