According to officials, however, the demolition of the current road overbridge that stands as an elevated structure on the south-end of the station and constructing a new one in its place will be a big challenge.
One of the city's oldest railway stations, Sion, is set for a major overhaul, all thanks to the 5th and 6th line project that will see building of two new tracks between Kurla and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). A couple of lines and a new platform, apart from some other amenities, will be added to the station.
According to officials, however, the demolition of the current road overbridge that stands as an elevated structure on the south-end of the station and constructing a new one in its place will be a big challenge. The road overbridge re-configuration is required because at the moment, there is no space beneath the bridge to lay two more lines.
"It will be tough because the bridge is old and is made of steel and stone. It will affect road traffic in a major way, since the bridge connects the eastern parts of Sion and Chunabhatti to the areas towards Dharavi and Bandra. The BMC, traffic police and other agencies will have to play an important part to ensure the work gets completed," said a senior CR official.
As per the Central Railway (CR) plan, the station structure on platform number 1 will be demolished and two new tracks will be laid on the western fringe of platform number 1. "Besides these two new tracks, a new platform will be built on the western side, making the current platform number 1 an island platform similar to platform number 2/3 at Sion," the official added.
The overhaul will also see a foot-overbridge being constructed in the middle of the station, apart from allowing people to enter and exit from the LBS Road side of the station.
Recently, the CR had issued a work order of Rs 28 crore for works at several stations between Vidyavihar and CST, and some of this money will be used for Sion. "The plan to re-configure the road-overbridge is a bigger affair, and will require separate funds. The work should begin by early 2016," said an official.
The entire 5th and 6th line project will cost approximately Rs 1,000 crore and will create two new lines that will ensure that long-distance trains do not infringe on the suburban lines between CST and Thane. The 5th and 6th line between Thane and Kurla already exist.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Bridge")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}