09 November,2022 07:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer Surve
Traffic jam near Andheri subway following the closure of Gokhale bridge, on Monday. Pic/Nimesh Dave (right) Gokhale bridge (declared dilapidated) has now been shut for vehicular movement. File pic
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A portion of the new Gokhale bridge with two lanes could be ready before the next monsoon, BMC officials have said after paying IIT-Bombay its fee to vet the drawings of the proposed overpass. Earlier, BMC had drawn criticism for failing to pay IIT-B in time and delaying the work. With the key east-west connector in Andheri shut, motorists are having a harrowing time. The BMC is still undecided over who will demolish the old bridge, which runs over the railway tracks.
The IIT-B had demanded in advance its entire fee of R19.2 lakh to look at the new bridge's drawings. While the BMC's bridge department started the paperwork in September, it completed the process only on Monday. "IIT-B will give their recommendations within 15 days. We will be in touch with them to understand if they suggest any changes in the drawings. There is little chance of any changes in the plans. So we expect to start the tender process by next week," said a civic official.
Also read: Mumbai: CM Eknath Shinde orders reconstruction of Gokhale bridge at earliest
The Gokhale bridge in Andheri was shut for traffic from Monday. Pic/Nimesh Dave
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The bridge will cost an estimated Rs 80 crore. "The railways had suggested getting the drawings checked by IIT-B as they have expertise in girder bridges," the official said. A girder bridge is a structure in which the bridge deck is built on top of long supporting beams. A civic official said the 90-metre portion of the bridge will rest on girders and will have no supporting pillars. "We will complete construction of two lanes before next monsoon," said P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner.
After two years of indecision over who will construct the bridge, officials said, the railways has asked the corporation to raze the portion over the trucks. "But if we need to demolish the bridge we need to take continuous follow-ups with railway authorities for blocks [to stop train services]," said a civic engineer. Meanwhile, commuters are forced to use alternative routes for east-west connectivity after the closure of the Gokhale bridge from Sunday midnight. This is causing major traffic issues mainly in Vile Parle, Andheri and Jogeshwari. Locals said their travel time in these areas has nearly doubled.
