The 131-year-old Bellasis rail over bridge (ROB), which connects east to west, at Mumbai Central will be closed for 18 months starting today, June 24.
The first of its kind in Mumbai suburbs, this temporary FOB is expected to be complete by the end of July.
The ROB, which was commissioned in 1893, will be demolished and reconstructed. It is crucial for vehicle and pedestrian traffic and connects Dr. Anandrao Nair Marg in the east to Vasantrao Naik Chowk in the west.
Therefore, Niraj Verma, Divisional Railway Manager of Western Railway's (WR) Mumbai Central Division, announced that the footpath on the ROB will remain open to facilitate movement. Since the complete closure of the ROB would disrupt east-west connectivity and access to the main booking office of Mumbai Central station from the west, a temporary lightweight foot over bridge (FOB) with an escalator will be constructed to the north of Bellasis ROB.
The Western Railway (WR) will execute the railway portion of the work, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) would handle the approaches.
According to an official notification issued on June 22 by the Mumbai traffic department’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Pradnya Jedge, alternative routes have been planned to ensure efficient traffic movement during this period.
The alternative route will direct traffic from Mumbai Central junction to Tardeo Circle junction.
Alternative route:
Mumbai Central Junction to D.B. Marg, then taking a right turn from Navjivan Junction towards Diana Bridge (Patthe Bapurao Road) and then Tardeo Circle Junction.
The traffic will flow from Tardeo Circle junction to Diana Bridge (Patthe Bapurao Road), then a left turn from Navjivan junction, Dr. D.B. Marg to finally Mumbai Central junction.
No Parking Areas:
Both sides of Patthe Bapurao Marg from Tardeo Circle to S. Swaraj Chowk (Navjevan junction)
S. Swaraj Chowk (Navjevan junction) to Mumbai Central junction.
Earlier, the closure was scheduled for December last year but was delayed. Delays in completing the tender process and finalisation of a contractor by the BMC caused the postponement, officials added.