Central Railway has achieved a major milestone in the reconstruction of Mumbai’s Sion Road Over Bridge (ROB) by successfully launching a 500-tonne semi-through steel girder, advancing one of the city’s key transport infrastructure projects.
The massive steel span was installed during a scheduled night traffic block between Matunga and Kurla stations as part of the ongoing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus–Kurla Fifth and Sixth Line Project, a critical railway capacity enhancement initiative aimed at strengthening suburban rail operations.
Major Engineering Milestone
The operation involved positioning and launching the heavy steel girder above active railway tracks within a restricted work window, making it one of the most technically demanding stages of the project.
According to railway officials, the steel girder was fabricated in Ambala before being transported to Mumbai and assembled near the Kalyan-end approach of the bridge. Extensive preparatory work was undertaken ahead of the launch, including the installation of temporary trestles, specialised launching mechanisms and detailed alignment inspections.
Despite the complexities of carrying out construction activities in a densely populated urban environment and over one of India’s busiest suburban rail corridors, the launch was completed successfully.
Designed for Future Rail Expansion
The reconstructed Sion ROB is being developed to support the expanded railway corridor under the CSMT-Kurla fifth and sixth line project.
As part of the redesign, the bridge span crossing the railway tracks is being increased from approximately 40 metres to nearly 54.5 metres. The wider span will accommodate additional railway lines and provide flexibility for future operational requirements.
Construction to Progress Faster
With the steel girder now in place, officials expect the next phase of construction to gather momentum. Upcoming works include deck slab construction, road surfacing, restoration of utilities, installation of crash barriers and other finishing activities required to make the bridge operational.
The original bridge was closed after concerns emerged regarding the structural condition of the ageing century-old structure, prompting authorities to undertake a complete reconstruction.
Key Connectivity Link for Mumbai
Once completed, the new Sion ROB will re-establish a vital east-west road connection linking the Eastern Express Highway, LBS Road and Dharavi Road.
The reopening of the bridge is expected to significantly benefit thousands of daily commuters who have been forced to use longer alternative routes since the closure of the old bridge.
Railway officials said the successful launch of the 500-tonne girder represents a significant engineering accomplishment and brings the project a step closer to completion, restoring an important transport link for Mumbai.
Source: Mid-day
