Indian Railways, civic body shut fifth bridge in Mumbai

The Indian Railways and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are on a bridge closing spree. On Sunday, the authorities shut the fifth bridge, the road over bridge (ROB) between Ghatkopar and Vikhroli stations due to fear of it collapsing, though it was partically opened later during the day. The road over bridge runs above the railway line between Ghatkopar and Vikhroli stations and connects LBS Road and Eastern Express Highway at its ends.

However, following the fear, the railways have now asked the BMC that massive bunch of cables in all bridges over railways lines across the city either needs to go underground or separate elevated structure be built for them. Also there shall be no paver blocks on pedestrian part of these bridges. Besdies the ROB, the authorities also shut down a bridge connecting Malad skywalk.  

Authorities said, the Ghatkopar-Vikhroli bridge has similar issues as that of Andheri bridge. ‘It is noticed that the footpath at Vikhroli end of this ROB is unsafe as it is over burdened with 400 mm thickness of paver blocks and utility services like power cables, telephone lines, optical fibre cables and water pipeline passing over it.