Work on the project had gotten delayed over land acquisition challenges and encroachment; once completed, the overpass will provide the crucial east-west connectivity
The Vikhroli bridge is coming up in place of a level-crossing gate that was closed a decade ago
Taking its efforts to improve east-west connectivity to the next step, the Central Railway has called for tenders for the missing part of a bridge at Vikhroli. The project has been delayed due to land acquisition challenges and encroachment. CR has also speeded up the work on a similar bridge at Vidyavihar.
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Officials said about 50 metres of the bridge over the tracks at Vikhroli need to be built. Once completed, the BMC will work on the approaches on both sides.
The Vikhroli bridge is coming up in place of a level-crossing gate that was closed a decade ago. While there were problems over land and squatters, they have been settled, paving the way for engineering work to gather pace, said officials.
The site where the Vidyavihar bridge will come up over the tracks
The east-west connectivity at Vikhroli has been an old issue. There is an east-west road bridge at Ghatkopar and another at Kanjurmarg station. The residents of Vikhroli have to take a detour to Ghatkopar or Kanjurmarg if they want to travel from east to west or vice-versa. While the arterial Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg lies in the west, the eastern express highway runs in the east.
The entire length of the bridge is 656 metres and the project is estimated to cost R45.12 crore. The work on the approach road in the east began in July and BMC has completed about 40
per cent work.
Railway officials said the pillars are ready and the tenders are for the superstructure. “The railway portion is about 50 metres and there will be seven steel girders for one span, and tendering work is under process,” CR chief spokesperson Shivaji Sutar said.
With a school and a railway station around, Vikhroli residents say the area around the incomplete bridge has become a complete mess and is worse in the rains.
Work proceeding at Vidyavihar
At Vidyavihar, it is still a long run but the supporting substructure in the east is already up and so are the pillars of approaches. Work at Vidyavihar road bridge involves plans to have the longest girders in the city.
Railway officials said they will soon be installing the longest girder of 99.35 metres across the tracks. Once completed, the bridge will give a huge respite to Ghatkopar residents.
Officials said both the bridges will ease connectivity between the Eastern Express Highway and LBS Road for Vikhroli and Ghatkopar residents.
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