MUMBAI
To be built at a cost of Rs4.65 crore, it will be located in the middle of the station.
The process of building a 12-metre wide foot over-bridge (FoB) at Thane station has finally begun. To be built at a cost of Rs4.65 crore, the bridge would be located in the middle of the station and ease pressure on the existing north and south-end bridges.
Inviting bids by 1 February, 2011, the Central Railway (CR) on Tuesday said that the bridge must be completed within 10 months.
Thane has seen a surge in the crowds in the recent years and the existing bridges have proven inadequate for the commuters. Following complaints of stampede-like situations on these bridges during the peak hours everyday, a team of senior CR officials conducted an on-the-site inspection.
“The crowd at Thane has multiplied as besides the suburban trains, the station accommodates outstation express trains and the trans-harbour Thane-Vashi trains. Moreover, there are skywalks that connect the railway bridges. When a train enters the station, there is such a crowd on the foot over bridge that becomes a stampede-like situation,” said Ravindra Gajbiye, a commuter.
A senior railway official said, “Two additional bridges have been sanctioned for Thane; one in the middle of the station and the other at the Kalyan-end.”