The historic Sion bridge in Mumbai, which has served the city for over a century, is now undergoing demolition and reconstruction. Pics/ Shadab Khan
Updated On: 2024-08-03 02:45 PM IST
Compiled by : Sanjana Deshpande
The closure of the bridge commenced on August 1 and is expected to last until July 31, 2026.
The demolition process, anticipated to take four to five months, involves relocating utilities, removing the road surface, and dismantling the iron structure.
Approximately 10,000 BEST bus commuters are facing disruptions as the Sion bridge is closed for demolition.
The rail overbridge (ROB) connects key areas such as Dharavi, Bandra, and LBS Road to Sion's eastern parts and Bharatratna Ambedkar Road.
The new Sion bridge will be extended from its current length of 40 metres to 51 metres to accommodate the addition of the 5th and 6th railway lines.
This expansion is part of the reconstruction project, which is estimated to cost around Rs 51 crore. The extended bridge aims to improve traffic flow and railway operations once completed.
According to Dr Swapnil Nila, the chief spokesperson of Central Railway, the demolition of the Sion bridge will be conducted in a phased manner. Initially, utilities on the bridge will be relocated.
Following this, the road surface will be removed, and then the iron structure will be dismantled. This meticulous process will be carried out primarily at night or during designated mega block times to minimize disruption to railway operations.
