Mumbai’s Bhandup Station Gets a Major Upgrade: MRVC Commissions New 6-Metre-Wide Foot Over Bridge to Ease Passenger Flow

Mumbai’s suburban railway network has taken another step forward in enhancing commuter comfort and station connectivity. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd. (MRVC) has successfully completed and commissioned a new 6.00-metre-wide South Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at Bhandup Station, designed to provide seamless east-west access and significantly reduce congestion during rush hours.

The newly built FOB is located at the CSMT end of the station and connects all platforms, 1, 2/3, and 4, as well as the eastern side of the station. For the tens of thousands of passengers who rely on Bhandup Station every day, this development marks a visible improvement in convenience, safety, and efficiency.

A Data-Driven Upgrade for Passenger Convenience

With a total length of 66 metres and a width of 6 metres, the new bridge offers ample capacity to handle heavy foot traffic, particularly during morning and evening peak periods. Each platform and the East side are equipped with staircases between 2.5 and 3 metres wide, ensuring smooth movement and preventing crowd buildup.

Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 6 crore, the FOB exemplifies the MRVC’s commitment to creating efficient and commuter-friendly infrastructure. According to MRVC officials, the structure aims to deliver a safer, faster, and more comfortable experience for daily passengers, especially during high-volume travel hours.

In a city where suburban railway services handle more than 75 lakh passengers daily, even a single new bridge can have a measurable impact on safety and station management. The Bhandup project reflects how data-driven design and targeted investment can help address persistent crowding challenges across Mumbai’s rail network.

Integration with Elevated Deck and Skywalk

What makes the new Bhandup FOB more strategic is its planned integration with additional infrastructure under development. The new bridge will soon connect with a 9.5-metre-wide elevated deck currently being constructed on Platform No. 1. This elevated deck will link all other FOBs at Bhandup Station, creating a unified network for better circulation across the platforms.

Moreover, a proposed 5-metre-wide skywalk on the East side will link the elevated deck to the BMC skywalk at the Kalyan end. Once completed, this integration will form a continuous pedestrian corridor, allowing commuters to move seamlessly between platforms, exits, and surrounding areas without crossing congested tracks or roads.

The design reflects a growing trend in urban transit planning, developing multi-level, interconnected passenger pathways that minimize bottlenecks while improving accessibility. Such connectivity models are now a key part of station redevelopment projects being executed by MRVC and Indian Railways across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Prioritizing Safety and Accessibility
 

Passenger safety has been one of the central concerns in Mumbai’s suburban rail operations. The new FOB addresses this by providing a wider, sturdier, and better-illuminated passage for pedestrians. The broader width allows for smoother two-way movement, reducing the risks of overcrowding and accidents that older, narrower bridges often faced.

The inclusion of multiple staircases and future integration with decks and skywalks further enhances evacuation capacity during emergencies. According to Sunil G. Udasi, Chief Public Relations Officer of MRVC, the goal is not just to add infrastructure but to ensure that every new facility contributes to a safer and more accessible railway environment.

An Important Step in MRVC’s Modernization Vision
 

The commissioning of the new FOB is part of MRVC’s broader vision to modernize Mumbai’s suburban railway infrastructure through smart, sustainable, and inclusive projects. In recent years, the agency has focused on expanding station capacity, improving passenger amenities, and leveraging modern engineering solutions to handle the city’s growing commuter load.

Projects like the Bhandup FOB are integral to this long-term approach. By focusing on connectivity enhancements rather than only capacity additions, MRVC is helping reshape how passengers experience the suburban rail system. A well-designed bridge does more than move people, it transforms how a station functions, turning a transit point into a safer, faster, and more navigable space.
 

Toward Smarter, Safer Commutes

Once fully integrated with the upcoming elevated deck and skywalk, the new South Foot Over Bridge will offer a seamless movement experience for thousands of daily commuters. It will decongest platforms, shorten exit times, and ensure safer access between station sides.

In a city where time and safety are both premium commodities, this project is a reminder that meaningful urban change often begins with precise, people-centric design. Each new bridge, skywalk, or deck adds up to a more connected Mumbai, one that prioritizes not just speed but safety and comfort.