Hancock Bridge Works Ordered to Be Completed in a Planned, Time-Bound Manner

BMC and Mumbai Traffic Police Review Pending Tasks; Commercial Rehabilitation, Court Stay Among Key Hurdles

The reconstruction of the Hancock Bridge between Byculla and Sandhurst Road railway stations is structurally complete, but critical approach-road works, rehabilitation issues and a court-ordered stay continue to delay full opening. In a high-level review meeting, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar directed that all remaining works be completed in a systematic and time-bound manner, with priority tendering and immediate resolution of rehabilitation-related matters.

The review was held in the presence of Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare, alongside senior officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Traffic Police. The joint meeting assessed the current project status and obstacles preventing the bridge’s full operationalisation.

The original Hancock Bridge—connecting Mazgaon and Dongri—was demolished by Central Railway in January 2016 after being declared unsafe. Reconstruction by the BMC was completed in February 2020, and one arm of the bridge was opened to traffic in August 2022. However, a combination of technical constraints and pending legal matters has stalled remaining works.

Officials discussed the incomplete approach roads, rehabilitation of residents and shop tenants from MHADA’s cess buildings on the western side, and challenges related to road-line widening on the eastern side. Bangar emphasised that commercial establishments affected by the new road alignment must be rehabilitated immediately by the concerned administrative departments.

Bangar further noted that while structural work within railway limits is finished, unresolved issues involving commercial tenants and MHADA occupants must be settled according to respective policies of BMC and MHADA. Some tenants have approached the Bombay High Court, securing a stay order. Bangar instructed the civic administration to engage senior legal counsel to pursue vacation of the stay order and ensure continuous follow-up.

He also directed that the approach-road works, road-width enhancement and other technical requirements be taken up urgently. Pending tenders must be floated on priority so that works can gain momentum and the local population can receive long-awaited relief.

Senior BMC officials present included Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Infrastructure) Girish Nikam, Assistant Commissioner (E-Ward) Rohit Trivedi, Chief Engineer (Bridges) Uttam Shrote, Deputy Chief Engineer (City) Rajesh Mulye, and other engineers and officers involved with the project.