The reopening of the crucial Sion Road Over Bridge (ROB), a key link for Mumbai motorists, has been delayed once again. The earlier plan to open the bridge to traffic by August 15 is now unlikely to be met, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seeking an additional 45 days to complete the remaining work.
The Sion ROB is now expected to open to traffic by the end of September, subject to the completion of pending civil works.
Second 500-tonne steel girder successfully launched
Meanwhile, Central Railway on Sunday successfully launched the second 500-tonne semi-through steel girder for the reconstructed Sion ROB. With this, both major steel girders over the railway tracks have now been installed.
The girder was launched during a scheduled three-hour night traffic and power block between Matunga and Kurla, with precautions taken to minimise disruption to suburban train services.
The first 500-tonne girder was installed on June 22. The second girder was originally scheduled to be launched on June 20, but the work was subsequently postponed to June 30 before finally being completed on Sunday.
Several BMC works still pending
Although the major girder installation over the railway tracks has been completed, several important works under the BMC's responsibility are still pending before the bridge can be opened to traffic.
These include the construction and completion of the approach roads, two pedestrian underpasses and other civic infrastructure works. As a result, the earlier August 15 deadline is expected to be pushed back by nearly a month and a half.
Sion bridge closed since August 2024
The more than 100-year-old Sion bridge has been closed to traffic since August 2024. The prolonged closure has forced motorists to use alternative routes, contributing to traffic congestion on roads in and around Sion.
The reconstruction project is being undertaken jointly by the BMC and Central Railway. Central Railway is responsible for the portion of the bridge spanning the railway tracks, while the BMC is handling the approach roads, pedestrian underpasses and other associated civil works.
The project's estimated cost has also increased from around ₹42.8 crore to nearly ₹50 crore.
With the installation of both 500-tonne steel girders now complete, attention has shifted to the remaining BMC works. Mumbai motorists may therefore have to wait several more weeks before the Sion ROB finally reopens to traffic.