Ganesh Chaturthi: Why can't you play music on these Mumbai bridges?

Ganesh Chaturthi

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a public advisory identifying a dozen railway overbridges (ROBs) in a “precarious condition” as the city’s massive 10-day Ganesh festival commenced on Wednesday. The bridges, all located on key routes between Marine Lines and Dadar, are in areas that form the epicentre of the festival's public celebrations, raising significant safety concerns.

According to the report in The Indian Express, the structures in question are the Marine Lines, Sandhurst Road (Grant Road), French (Charni Road), Kennedy (between Grant Road and Charni Road), Falkland (Mumbai Central), Mahalaxmi railway station, Prabhadevi-Carroll and Lokmanya Tilak (Dadar) railway flyovers. Most are situated in South and Central Mumbai, which host the renowned ‘Sarvajanik Ganesh mandals’ that attract millions of devotees.

Civic officials clarified that the bridges are not classified as dilapidated but are under strict observation due to their age and the unique strain of festival processions. An official was cited by The Indian Express as saying, “These bridges are nearly a century old… it is advisable that they should not be overcrowded.” The official further explained that the combined weight of trucks transporting large idols and the accompanying crowds of devotees places a significant load on the structures.

In a specific directive, the BMC stated that the maximum weight allowed on these bridges is 16 tonnes. It has also advised processions to avoid playing music with heavy bass on the bridges to prevent potentially damaging vibrations.

The municipality faces a logistical challenge, as outright closure of the bridges is not deemed feasible. As reported by The Indian Express, an official noted that closing them “would lead to traffic chaos and inconvenience for citizens,” particularly in Central Mumbai -encompassing Dadar, Parel, and Lalbaug - which is a major hub for idol workshops and processions. Some bridges are currently undergoing repairs, while others are slated for work after the monsoon season concludes.

This year’s list shows a reduction from the 13 bridges flagged last year, with one bridge in Ghatkopar now closed entirely for repairs. The festival will continue until Anant Chaturdashi on September 6, during which time the BMC is urging extreme caution on the identified infrastructure.