WR’s mega block in March for dismantling Gokhale Bridge

Mumbai: As a part of their continued dismantling of Gokhale Bridge, Western Railways (WR) will carry out a mega block in the month of March. And leading up to it, many major blocks have been planned.

One such major block will be on the night falling between 4th and 5th of January starting from 12.15 am till 4.45 am, during which some local trains will remain cancelled.

Confirming the development, chief public relations officer for Western Railways, Sumit Thakur said, “This is not a mega block. We are carrying out such blocks at nights as part of the dismantling of the Gokhale Bridge. The mega block for this will be taken up in March this year.”

The Divisional Regional Manager of Western Railways on the social media platform shared: “Major block for the dismantling of GOKHALE ROAD OVER BRIDGE (ROB) on 04/05.01.2023 On UP Harbour & DOWN Harbour from 00:15-4:45 HRS. and on DOWN Slow line from 1:45-4:00 HRS. Due to the block, some trains will remain cancelled. (sic)”

Western Railways, on December 12, 2022, started demolishing Gokhale Bridge – its closure had caused much heartburn among the commuters, as it blocked their easy option of traversing between east and west of Andheri.

HT on December 17 had reported that the partial re-opening of the bridge was pushed from May 2023 to June 2023 as per the officials of the Bridges Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

On December 2, WR released a limited tender for the demolition of the bridge, which was sanctioned to a private agency for ₹ 11.5 crore. The demolition work is expected to be finished by March 2023, following which the BMC will begin the construction of the bridge and finish one phase by June 2023.