The future of the Sion Railway Over Bridge (ROB) will soon be decided in a meeting between the Central Railway (CR) and the state government. The meeting is expected to happen this week.
Earlier, local residents voiced concerns about potential traffic disruptions due to the proposed demolition. Then, local MP Rahul Shewale, representing the people, intervened and halted the process. Shewale, a Shiv Sena (Shinde) minister, had previously urged CR authorities to prioritise community engagement.
Later, the meeting was postponed due to Shewale's participation in the 2024 parliamentary budget session. However, reports confirm that the meeting is now scheduled for this week. This meeting will likely determine the fate of the bridge.
The demolition was set to begin on January 20 and was expected to take six months. The reconstruction phase was projected to last eighteen months. The demolition will also create space for the construction of the fifth and sixth lines' tracks. These new tracks will improve suburban rail services and mail transportation.
The repair is estimated to cost about INR 50 crore, a cost likely to be shared by CR and the BMC. The new ROB will span all six lines in a single span of approximately 51 metres. It will be at least 5.4 metres above the rails, allowing for future track elevation if necessary.
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT B) deemed the Sion Bridge unsafe in its April 2020 audit report. The report highlighted the deterioration of key structural components. Despite regular maintenance and repairs, the bridge's planned removal was triggered by the red signal raised by IIT Bombay.
The Sion Bridge, built in 1912, is a significant historical landmark. It connects Dharavi, LBS Road, and the Eastern Express Highway. The 110-year-old Sion ROB has been under scrutiny. The CR and Mumbai traffic police are working out the specifics of its demolition.
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