6 ROBs to be repaired on priority basis

MUMBAI: After the collapse of a pathway on Andheri’s Gokhale Bridge on July 3, the Western Railway (WR) does not want to take any chance and has requested the civic bodies of Mumbai and Vasai-Virar to re-construct or get suitable repairs done of six road overbridges (ROB).

After a detailed technical inspection of Delise Bridge-Parel ROB by IIT Bombay, MCGM and WR, IIT Bombay had recommended that in view of safety, the said bridge be closed and dismantled as soon as possible. Accordingly WR authorities have requested a total closure of Delise bridge-Parel ROB.

“From July 24, there will be no entry to all vehicular traffic and  pedestrians on Delise Bridge-Parel ROB (Lower Parel Railway Bridge),” said Mumbai police PRO.

The five bridges to be re-constructed or repaired are Ferere ROB at Grant Road, Belasis ROB at Mumbai Central, Tilak ROB at Dadar, Carol ROB at Prabhadevi and the existing ROB at Mahalaxmi.

There are 145 foot overbridges (FOBs) and 29 ROBs, belonging to MCGM, MMRDA and PWD in the Mumbai suburban section of WR.

Sanjay Mishra, divisional railway manager (DRM) of Mumbai Central division of WR, asked the MCGM to shut the Lower Parel ROB to vehicles and pedestrians.

Ravinder Bhakar, the chief public relations officer of WR said, “As per inspection report, we have requested MCGM to rebuild the bridge and we would do the supervision in the Railway portion. MCGM have sent a letter on July 21, to carry out work by Railways in Railway portion. In reply to this letter, WR has again requested MCGM to execute this urgent reconstruction work at their level in suitable coordination with WR and discussion is still going on in this regard. However, as a special case for other bridges at Vasai Rd, Andheri and Malad, tenders have been invited for necessary work, as was done for the bridges at Charni Road and Navapada Bandra.”

The WR is also requesting MCGM to form a coordination committee to deal with such exigencies.