Engineers Must Upgrade Technical Skills to Ensure Bridge Safety and Durability

Workshop Calls For Sustainable, Future-Ready Bridge Infrastructure In Mumbai

Engineers working in the Bridge Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) must continuously upgrade their technical expertise and adapt to modern engineering technologies to ensure the long-term safety and durability of Mumbai’s bridges, said retired Chief Bridge Engineer S. C. Gupta of Central Railway and Mumbai Metro Line 1 (Versova–Ghatkopar).

Addressing a one-day technical workshop held on February 12, 2026, at the Engineering Complex in Worli, Gupta emphasized that Mumbai’s rapidly increasing traffic load, environmental challenges, structural stress, and rising public expectations demand constant upskilling of municipal engineers. He urged professionals to study and effectively implement advanced construction techniques, modern building materials, and innovative repair technologies while prioritizing sustainable and long-term durability in all bridge projects.

The workshop was organized by the BMC Bridge Department, which is currently undertaking large-scale construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of flyovers and bridges across the city. With growing vehicular pressure and climate variability posing serious challenges, the civic body is placing special emphasis on strengthening structural design to enhance safety and longevity.

Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has taken a firm stance on ensuring the highest quality standards in bridge construction and maintenance. The workshop formed part of that broader initiative to reinforce technical excellence within the department.

Focus On Durability, Risk Assessment And Preventive Maintenance

The deliberations during the workshop covered key aspects such as long-term structural durability, quality control mechanisms, structural audit methodologies, risk assessment, preventive maintenance strategies, and emergency repair techniques. Experts also highlighted the importance of strict compliance with national and international standards, including IRC and IS Codes, while executing bridge projects.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Mumbai’s bridge infrastructure in line with the highest benchmarks of safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. The objective, officials said, is to prepare the city’s infrastructure to meet future demands with resilience and technological preparedness.

Climate Challenges Demand Technical Preparedness

Gupta further noted that professional development in the Bridge Department is not limited to personal career advancement. It is directly linked to public safety, smooth traffic mobility, and the stability of critical infrastructure. He stressed the importance of systematic and continuous training to keep engineers updated on evolving codes, international best practices, and emerging structural technologies.

Special attention, he said, must be given to local environmental factors such as climate change, intense monsoon rainfall, coastal salinity exposure, and increasing vehicular load. These variables must inform both design frameworks and maintenance policies. Long-term durability, he added, depends on stringent quality control, appropriate material selection, regular inspections, and timely repairs.

Chief Engineer (Additional Charge) and Deputy Chief Engineer (Bridges) Rajesh Mule echoed these sentiments, stating that continuous learning, knowledge exchange, technical workshops, and field-based training can significantly enhance the department’s responsiveness and efficiency. Strengthening technical capacity will not only extend the lifespan of structures but also deepen public trust in civic infrastructure.

Balancing quality, safety, and efficiency must remain the guiding principle in infrastructure development, Mule said, adding that technical competence among engineers is the true foundation of sustainable urban growth.