Mumbai: New bridge to be built without disrupting traffic

In what spells major relief for motorists who travel between Ghatkopar and Andheri, the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MRIDC) has decided not to demolish the old bridge before constructing a rail overbridge on the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road. mid-day had highlighted on November 21 how the demolition of the old ROB before or during the construction of the new bridge would create major traffic blocks.

The nearest option, the Vikhroli bridge, is to be completed by December 2023. Taking note of this issue, Member of Parliament Manoj Kotak spoke to MahaRail officials and suggested they find an alternative solution. "If the old bridge is demolished before or during the construction of the new bridge, it will cause traffic congestion. I had raised this issue a few months before. They have decided the old bridge will not be demolished while the new bridge is being constructed," said Kotak.

The BMC has removed electricity and another cable loads from the bridge. File pic/Sameer Markande

Asked how the old bridge can still be used, a BMC official said that the Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay in its audit of bridges in 2018 had suggested removing the extra load from such bridges. The official said the BMC has removed electricity and other cable loads from the bridge. According to MahaRail officials, regular traffic can ply over the bridge, but a new bridge must be constructed as soon as possible.

Also Read: Mumbai: New Versova bridge in Mira-Bhayandar set to open early next year

"The new bridge will help end the bottleneck on the old ROB. The old ROB is two lanes, the new bridge will have three lanes. It will be a cable-stayed bridge. The entire cost will be around Rs 350 crore," said a MahaRail official. The official said further, "The total length of the old bridge is around 1.5 kilometers. We are trying to start work as soon as possible. The project will take around one and half years to complete."