CR finally floats tender for RoB near Diva station

MUMBAI: After the death of 162 people at the Diva level crossing (LC) gate since 2014, the Central Railway (CR) has finally floated a tender for a road over bridge (ROB) which connects Diva east to Diva west. The cost of the ROB will be Rs 18.93 crore. The construction of the ROB will be completed within 24 months from the date of award of the work.

It was in 2013 that the CR proposed a ROB near Diva station to provide locals safer passage and prevent train delays causing inconvenience to lakhs of commuters every day. Recently, a motorist ducked the barrier of the LC gate and tried to cross the tracks from the west to the east but was crushed by an outstation train in the bargain.

A CR official said, “A general approved design has already been finalized in December 2017. The costs of the project are being shared with the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). The construction of the ROB over the tracks will be done by the railway. The remaining part of the bridge, which approaches towards the east and west side, will be constructed by TMC.”

He said that once the ROB is completed, it will not only prevent accidents but also improve punctuality.         

President of the Diva Railway Pravasi Sangathan (DRPS) and resident of Diva west, advocate Adesh Bhagat said, “It is good for people staying in Diva as the tender has been floated for the much awaited ROB. But it will take 24 months; hence, the CR should take intermediate steps to prevent further accidents at the Diva LC gate.

At the same time, the TMC should also take steps to expedite construction work of the ROB.”