Lower Parel ROB closed: Chaos, crowd as common people inconvenienced
What's the story
Agreeing to the suggestions put forth by an expert committee of IIT-Bombay, BMC and Western Railway, the pivotal Delise Bridge or Lower Parel ROB in Mumbai was closed down for repairs today morning. It resulted in heavy chaos, as the bridge caters to passengers of Central Railway, pedestrians and motorists. Their only resort was to take the Datta Ahire Marg west of the bridge.
Details
ROB closed down due to corrosion in its cross-girders
The July-17 audit by the committee found that the ROB is in a dangerous position and is unsafe due to corrosion in its cross-girders over railway tracks. Based on the report, the railways recommended the bridge be closed down till the repair work is done. All the bridges in Mumbai are being inspected following the collapse of Gokhale Bridge in Andheri earlier this month.
Context
Lower Parel ROB pivotal, connects busy Central Mumbai neighborhoods
The bridge connects NM Joshi Marg to Elphinstone Road, Lower Parel and all busy neighborhoods in Central Mumbai. That's why Central Railway travelers get down at Currey Road station and take the bridge to reach these areas. But for them, Datta Ahire Marg is the only option now. For motorists, a diversion via Senapati Bapat Marg and NM Joshi Marg has been marked.
Plan
'For work to begin, utilities need to be shifted first'
Although people complained that the entire bridge shouldn't be closed, authorities said for the work to begin they have to shift utilities, including over 50 cables that pass through the ROB. The shifting will itself take around a fortnight or more, so the whole bridge needs to be closed down, insisted railway officials, after a meeting held yesterday in Western Railway's Churchgate headquarters.
Ideas
ROB's replacement: Cable-stayed bridge, stainless steel bridge or arch bridge?
In the meeting, eight private firms discussed with government agencies the type of bridge that can replace the existing ROB. Options like cable-stayed bridge, stainless steel bridge and arch bridge were discussed. The meeting was chaired by Principal Chief Engineer RK Meena, officials from Western Railway, BMC Assistant Commissioner (G/South) DK Jain, ACP Sushil Bangale of Traffic Police, and former Mayor Snehal Ambekar.