Western Railway is considering advanced construction methods to rebuild the Bandra-Khar Road flyover within a 45-day period, potentially reducing the earlier estimated six-month construction schedule. The move is expected to accelerate progress on the crucial Mumbai Central-Borivali sixth line project while limiting disruption to suburban train operations.
A senior railway official said on Thursday that the authorities are working on adopting modern construction techniques that can help complete the flyover reconstruction within a significantly shorter timeframe. “Efforts are underway to adopt innovative methodologies that would allow the reconstruction to be completed in a much shorter duration while minimising disruption to Mumbai’s suburban rail services,” the official said.
The sixth line project, being executed under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase II in association with the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), aims to increase capacity on Mumbai’s heavily utilised western railway corridor. Covering 30.04 km between Mumbai Central and Borivali, the project is designed to improve train movement, support additional suburban services, enhance punctuality and separate suburban and long-distance train operations.
The Khar Road-Borivali section of the project has already been completed, while work is currently progressing on the challenging Mumbai Central-Khar Road stretch. The section involves multiple engineering challenges due to dense urban development, limited space availability, utility relocation requirements and construction of new railway structures.
According to officials, major preparatory work has advanced considerably. Land acquisition activities are nearly complete, with only 88.6 square metres of government land at Shakti Mill in Lower Parel pending final formalities. All five engineering sanction proposals have received approval, while utility shifting has begun, with 14 out of 29 identified utilities already relocated.
Infrastructure works are also moving forward, with four of the five proposed electric interlocking buildings completed. Signalling and telecommunications activities are underway under three approved packages, while contracts for electrical foundations and overhead equipment works have been finalised.
The project includes construction of 15 bridges, around 13.3 km of earthwork, new island platforms, foot overbridges, station facilities and additional track infrastructure. It also covers rehabilitation of affected families in Bandra East, development of new Platforms 7 and 8 at Bandra, and modifications to railway structures at Mahim, Lower Parel and Mumbai Central.
Officials said techniques such as precast segmental construction will be adopted wherever possible to accelerate execution and reduce inconvenience for commuters. Once completed, the sixth line is expected to improve capacity and operational efficiency on one of Mumbai’s busiest railway routes.
Source: The Times of India
