Mumbai: In a major milestone for Mumbai’s railway infrastructure upgrade, the Central Railway (CR) has completed the de - launching of 7th and last girder of the historic Sion Road Over Bridge (ROB) on Sunday, clearing the path for the crucial addition of the 5th and 6th railway lines between Kurla and Parel.
"The final and seventh girder of the bridge, which had stood since 1912, was successfully removed during a five-hour block between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Vidyavihar on Sunday " said an official. The bridge, which connected key areas including Dharavi, Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Marg, and the Eastern Express Highway, had been a vital east-west link for over a century.
Its closure of the bridge led to significant traffic congestion across the other alternate routes of nearby such as the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road. However, officials say the inconvenience is a necessary short-term sacrifice for long-term gains in urban mobility.
CR de-launches final girder of 112-year-old Sion ROB, enabling next phase of rail line expansion between Kurla and Parel | File Photo
“This de - launching of girder marks a significant step in our broader plan to enhance rail capacity by introducing new 5th and 6th lines between Kurla and Parel,” said a senior CR official. “These additions will drastically improve the efficiency and frequency of suburban trains, benefiting lakhs of thousands of commuters.”
The reconstruction of the Sion ROB, which faced initial delays due to public consultations and logistical hurdles, is now ready to begin. CR officials have confirmed that the tendering process has been completed and that construction will commence shortly, with a targeted completion timeline of 18 months.
Once rebuilt, the new bridge is expected to restore the vital east-west connection while accommodating the expanding railway infrastructure beneath it. The combined project is seen as a significant push toward modernizing Mumbai’s transport systems and easing the burden on its overworked rail network.
