As CR awaits state government decision, residents express concerns over closure and reconstruction plans
Project is to create space for 5th and 6th railway tracks. File pic/Satej Shinde
The Central Railway had decided to close traffic on the Sion rail overbridge on January 20, to pull it down and reconstruct the 110-year-old bridge. However, the decision to go ahead with the demolition is still pending. The officials believe that the decision will be taken during the week by the state government.
The demolition of the bridge was stopped earlier because the local Member of Parliament, Rahul Shewale, had intervened and asked the authorities to reconsider their decision. Currently, the bridge is open to traffic.
"I will meet Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. My and residents' concern is that the authority should discuss before taking the final decision," said Rahul Shewale. "Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will discuss the issue with railway officials. Residents of Dharavi met me and expressed their concerns," Shewale said.
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Meanwhile, an official of Central Railway told mid-day that the railway is ready to pull down the bridge. But the final decision will be taken after discussing it with the state government. The Central Railway authority has decided to reconstruct 110-year-old Sion rail bridges. The construction of the new bridge will take 24 months.
According to the Central Railway official, the new connector will have a single span and include no pillars. This work is to create space for the 5th and 6th railway tracks. A portion of the structure over the railway premises that is around 40 metres long will be increased to 51 metres.
The existing bridge comprises two spans, and one of its pillars stands on the railway line.
24
No. of months it will take to reconstruct the bridge
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