Arthur Bridge at Chinchpokli, Olivant Bridge at Mazgaon and S Bridge of Byculla are good to go for another 10-15 years
A massive Ganesh procession passes over Chinchpokli bridge despite warnings about their precarious condition since 2019. File pic/Rane Ashish
Three bridges in South Mumbai over the central and harbour lines are said to be in good condition by the railways. The Railways have recently conveyed the stability of the three bridges to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The railways informed the BMC that Arthur Bridge at Chinchpokli, Olivant Bridge at Mazgaon and S Bridge of Byculla are in good condition and there is now no need for reconstruction of these bridges.
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A joint meeting between BMC and Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (Maharail) was held at the BMC headquarters to take a review of rail over bridges being reconstructed by Maharail.
“According to the Central Railway's letter dated April 24, 2024, a review of the reconstruction of these bridges will be taken by the Railways after 10 to 15 years. Therefore, no work on these bridges will be undertaken immediately,” said a BMC official.
The BMC used to issue a warning "Don't stop, don't dance on bridges" for processions during Ganesh festival on old rail over bridges which include Arthur Road railway over bridge at Chinchpokli along with Currey Road, Byculla and Ghatkopar bridge. The guidelines were first issued in 2019, a year before the pandemic, after the inspection of age-old rail over bridges. While Byculla and Ghatkopar bridges are already under construction, the proposal for Currey Road bridge has been sanctioned. The Central Railway completed repair work of Chinchpokli bridge two years ago.
Work on bridges at Reay Road, Byculla, Tilak Bridge (Dadar) and Ghatkopar Bridge was reviewed in the meeting. Meanwhile, the proposal for reconstruction of bridges -Currey Road Bridge, Matunga subway, Mahalakshmi Bridge has been approved. The preliminary phase of these bridge works is currently underway.
Present status of work
Reay Road Bridge: 77% work is complete. The bridge is expected to be opened by Nov 2024.
Byculla Bridge: 42% work is complete. The bridge is expected to open by October 2025.
Tilak Bridge: 8% work is complete.
Ghatkopar Bridge: 14% work completed.
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