On Wednesday, rail authorities gave one last chance to public and telecommunications utilities to move their cables and wires that currently pass through the structure of Delisle Bridge.
WR officials said this would be the final deadline for shifting of cables, before they are snapped on Thursday for dismantling and reconstruction of the corroding Lower Parel bridge.
A big sheet of asphalt and tar has been scraped off the face of the bridge, whose closure more than a couple of months ago raised hackles afresh amid the teeth-clenching traffic scenario in the heart of the city.
With Western Railway chipping away at the surface of the bridge portion right above the tracks, it's steel skeleton has been laid bare.
On Tuesday, the railway officials had issued a public notice stating that public utility related cables, wires and ducts passing through the bridge had to be shifted by September 26.
'But till date, Tata Docomo, Vodafone, Reliance Jio, Airtel, Idea, MTNL and five other unidentified cables, wires and pipes have not been shifted,' the railways' public notice said.
If cables are severed without being reconnected, communications in and around the Lower Parel-Currey Road business hub woudl be hit.
"Earlier deadline of September 26 was not met by the telecommunication companies. Work of removing asphalt is in the final stage. A 36-hours block for dismantling these steel members is being planned for November end," said Ravinder Bhakar, chief public relations officer, Western Railway.
During the block, steel pillars will be removed piece by piece. They would be hung using strings so it does not damage the tracks and overhead cables below. Train services would be scaled back during this time.
100 YEARS LATER
- The 97-year-old Delisle ROB was shut for both vehicles and pedestrians on July 24
- Decision came after joint inspection team comprising engineers from WR, BMC, IIT-Bombay, which declared it unsafe
- Later, the bridge was opened partially for pedestrian movement
