Lower Parel bridge dismantling begins; set to end in two months
Work takes place between 12.45am and 4.15am to minimise inconvenience
MUMBAI: The Western railway (WR) has started the dismantling work of the Delisle road overbrigde (ROB) at Lower Parel and the process is expected to last for over two months. However, WR has ensured commuters face minimum inconvenience during the process.
The bridge was shut in July after a safety audit report by experts at Iit-bombay, the Railways and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). deemed the bridge unsafe
WR’S construction department, which is responsible for the dismantling, has been undertaking the work in night blocks of three-and-a-half hours since October 15.
For the first 48 days, blocks will continue to be undertaken from 12.45am to 4.15am. After this, blocks of four hours will be undertaken for the dismantling work and shifting of utilities from the bridge to the under the railway tracks.
Some early morning trains, before the peak hours, will not halt at Prabhadevi, Mahalaxmi, Matunga Road and Mumbai Central railway stations.
“The blocks were worked out and planned in a way that there would be no passenger inconvenience during the process of dismantling the bridge. This is the reason night blocks were given wherein peak hours and train services during the afternoon are not affected,” said Sanjay Mishra, divisional railway manager, WR.
“The first phase includes the cutting and removing of concrete slab panels from the ROB. Further work to remove girders will be undertaken,” said a senior WR official.
Passenger associations have welcomed the move.
“Dismantling the bridge in the day would have inconvenienced
the commuters. The railways should now consider taking the maintenance blocks during the night time, as they have an extra window, instead of taking weekly blocks on Sunday,” said Subash Gupta, president, Rail Yatri Parishad.
The closure of vehicles on the bridge has caused traffic snarls in Lower Parel, Currey Road and Worli.