Mumbai News: BMC's Bridge Department Forms Team For SOP Addressing Design Flaws

Mumbai: Following recent design flaws in bridge reconstruction projects, the BMC has formed a dedicated team from the bridge department to draft a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The team will study the issues and outline clear guidelines for construction and design to prevent future lapses, aiming for a a streamlined and well-structured approach to bridge planning.

The BMC has undertaken the reconstruction of several bridges in Mumbai, with three key east-west connectors recently opened to traffic—Carnac Bridge (Sindoor) in Masjid Bunder on July 10, Vikhroli Bridge on June 14, and the fully opened Gokhale Bridge on May 12. However, some of these have drawn public criticism over design flaws, such as inadequate pedestrian space on the Gokhale Bridge. To improve planning and avoid such lapses, the BMC is now forming a team of officials to draft a SOP outlining norms for future bridge designs.

According to a senior civic official, "The upcoming SOP will outline detailed guidelines for key design elements, including merging segments, and landing points—particularly where bridges connect to major highways. It will specify the optimum width for both carriageways and footpaths. With a focus on universal accessibility, the SOP will also define standards for pedestrian pathway design, including stairs, ramps, and other features to accommodate differently-abled citizens. To prevent criss-cross traffic, the SOP will set guidelines for optimal arm placement and smooth road integration."

The BMC currently adheres to Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards for bridge design. While the civic body is responsible for determining the alignment and selecting suitable locations for bridges, the structural design—such as the construction method, span length, and load capacity—is outsourced to external consultants.

Once submitted, these designs are reviewed by experts from the Indian Institute of Technology or other recognised government institutes. "We have imposed penalties on consultants who failed to effectively implement the approved designs during recent bridge projects,” the official added.Some of the design lapses that drew criticism include the Gokhale Bridge, opened in phases from February 2024. Its six-metre elevation led to a misalignment with the CD Barfiwala flyover. Though the issue was corrected and the connector opened by July 2024, it caused inconvenience to motorists and added Rs. 8 crore to the project cost.

The bridge also faced backlash for narrow footpaths—1.5 metres along the carriageway and just 1 metre near the railway girder. Similarly, the Vikhroli bridge, meant to ease east-west traffic, has become a daily chokepoint due to the absence of a central median and multiple speed breakers, leading to frequent snarls and longer commute times.