Sion ROB Dismantling: Bridge To Be Shut From February 29

The 110-year-old- Sion Road Over Bridge (ROB) will be permanently shut down to make room for new railway lines on February 29. This ancient bridge connects the Bandra Kurla Complex, Dharavi, Sion, and Kurla. It was scheduled to be shut down and dismantled on January 19, but everything was put on hold after MP Rahul Shewale’s intervention.

Central Railway (CR) officials announced on February 22 that travellers will no longer be permitted to use the bridge from February 29. “Preliminary work, such as removing asphalt and clearing cables and other structures, will begin over the next month. Once that is completed, the dates for constructing the mega block to dismantle the ROB will be determined,” said a CR official.

The ROB is being removed because it has deteriorated, and its span must be expanded from 30 to 49 metres to allow the fifth and sixth lines between Parel and Kurla. The additional lines will aid in separating postal, express, and suburban trains.

Currently, the site suggested for the tracks is filled by the bridge’s pillars.

The destruction would take around 4-6 months because it must be done carefully, taking into account the rail movement beneath. Reconstruction could take around 18 to 24 months.