Delay in decision on Sion bridge puts lives at risk, Railways cautions Maha govt

The Railways and BMC are to together replace the existing Sion bridge. File Pic/Satej Shinde

While the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay's bridge audit report for the Sion road bridge had sounded an alert about its dilapidated condition in 2020, the Railways on Tuesday said that they had somehow repaired it so far but further delay would risk lives. The Railways have said that the state government must make a decision on the matter expeditiously.

The IIT Bombay's report stated that the bridge is extremely dangerous as its life span has expired. The final plan to demolish the bridge by January 20 and upgrade it had been in place. However, local MP Rahul Shewale stopped the work saying that people should have been taken into confidence and that he would take up the issue with the chief minister.

Residents said that the bridge was the only way for children to reach school. Railways on Tuesday said that the pedestrian path of the bridge will be kept open for some time while the bridge gets demolished. Speaking with mid-day, Shewale, a Member of Parliament from Mumbai South Central, said, "I have taken the same stand earlier that Dharavikars are not against development. However, a decision should be taken after taking locals into consideration. We will discuss this serious issue with the local people and the railway administration and take a coordinated decision soon."

IIT Bombay's report

The IIT Bombay report, a copy of which is with mid-day, states that the first two ‘I girders' from the north end (facing Kalyan), the RCC deck slab and the RCC parapet wall are in a dilapidated condition. It has been recommended to dismantle the RCC parapet wall and RCC deck slab after taking all safety measures. There is also an urgent need to remove the pipeline fixed between the first two girders.

The Central Railway (CR) plans to construct a new Road Over Bridge (ROB) in place of the existing one near Sion railway station in coordination with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). An amount of R23 crore towards the cost of the project will be borne by the CR while R26 crore will be borne by the BMC.

The demolition work will be carried out in coordination with the BMC and with help from the traffic department. Infrastructure blocks will shortly be taken on the section which will be communicated to the public soon.

2020
Year IIT Bombay sounded alert about bridge's dilapidated condition