Cable bridge work to begin by April '18

The work on the cable-stayed road-overbridge (ROB) at Mahalaxmi is likely to start by April next year. The Bridge Department of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has prepared the general arrangement drawings (GAD) for the bridge which now awaits an approval from the Railways.

According to an official from the Bridge Department, as per the planning, the proposed bridge may start from the lane parallel to New Shirin Talkies at Jacob Circle to Dr E Moses Road near the Racecourse. The official added that the bridge, which will cross over the railway line, will cost around Rs 90 crore.

The proposed bridge aims to ease pressure on the existing Mahalaxmi ROB which is highly congested and was constructed in 1920. "The proposal has got a push after the incident at Elphinstone Road station," said the official. "In the past two decades, the area has seen an influx of population due to large residential complexes being constructed on mill land. The existing ROB is insufficient to cater such a large population," added the official.

After the stampede on a foot-overbridge (FOB) at Elphinstone Road station, the civic body has been focusing on all such places where bridges are either to be constructed or are in urgent need of a revamp. The official said that four mid-section FOBs have been identified at vulnerable places. "These are at Matunga Road, Mahim, Khar Road and Vile Parle stations," said the official. These mid-section FOBs will be constructed by a multi-disciplinary team of Western Railway and BMC.

NEW PINCH

• The proposed bridge may start from the lane parallel to New Shirin Talkies at Jacob Circle to Dr E Moses Road near the Racecourse.
   
• The bridge will cross over the railway line and  cost around Rs 90 crore.