The 110-year-old Sion bridge in Mumbai is closed for two years from August 1 for demolition & reconstruction by Central Railway, to be completed by July 31 '26.
The closure of the historic Sion bridge has led to severe traffic jams on the Eastern Express Highway. Commuters are facing significant delays in light of the bridge's closure.
They had earlier expressed concerns over the extended closure period and the resultant traffic congestion. Authorities responded with detailed traffic management plans and alternative routes to mitigate the impact on daily commutes.
The authorities have recommended alternative routes for both light and heavy vehicles to mitigate the disruption.
Light vehicles from Kurla are advised to follow a specific path via Pehalwan Naresh Mane Chowk and other key junctions. Heavy vehicles have a designated route that avoids the most congested areas.
Additionally, nine roads around Sion and Dharavi have been declared no-parking zones to facilitate smoother traffic flow.
Pedestrians are not left stranded by the Sion bridge closure. They can use alternative public foot-over bridges (FOBs) located 500 metres from Sion station towards Matunga and 350 metres towards Kurla.
The demolition of the Sion bridge will occur in phases. Initially, utilities will be relocated, followed by the removal of the road surface and the iron structure. This meticulous process can only be conducted at night or during designated megablock times when the railway is closed
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