Lower Parel Bridge Shutdown: Chaos on Streets As Pedestrians Left Clueless, 2-Hour Long Traffic Jams Reported; Watch Video
The Lower Parel ROB or the Delise bridge has been closed for both public use and vehicle traffic after an inspection which stated structure as unsafe, owing to corrosion. The bridge was built in 1921 and was found unsafe during an inspection by the Western Railway, BMC and IIT-Bombay team on July 17.
Mumbai, July 24: A chaotic situation was witnessed in Mumbai's Lower Parel area on Tuesday morning after hundreds of commuters struggled to reach their destinations following repair work on Lower Parel rail-over-bridge. The bridge, also, known as Delise bridge was shut at 8 am on Tuesday for repair work. Commuters were forced to take alternative routes while traffic police diverted vehicles via Senapati Bapat Marg and NM Joshi Marg, creating chaos on streets. Traffic Jam was also reported from various areas across Mumbai after the bridge was shut for vehicular movement.
The Lower Parel ROB or the Delise bridge has been closed for both public use and vehicle traffic after an inspection which stated structure as unsafe, owing to corrosion. The bridge was built in 1921 and was found unsafe during an inspection by the Western Railway, BMC and IIT-Bombay team on July 17.
Watch Video: Chaos from Mumbai's Lower Parel area after rail over-bridge shut for repair
The bridge is important as it connects Lower Parel’s NM Joshi Marg to Elphinstone Road and Lower Parel. Reports inform that commuters have been complaining that at least pedestrians should have been allowed to use the bridge, which would have resulted in less commotion. Shutting the bridge completely has also raised concerns for railway commuters as people are forced to exit from the west side of the bridge which leads to a narrow lane.
Apart from the Lower Parel rail overbridge (ROB), the other five bridges to be reconstructed or repaired are Ferere ROB at Grant Road, Belasis ROB at Mumbai Central, Tilak ROB at Dadar, Carol ROB at Prabhadevi and existing ROB at Mahalaxmi.
According to an official release by Western Railways, the bridge will be closed for all vehicular traffic and pedestrians on the basis of the inspection report submitted by Western Railway officials as well as a team of experts from IIT-Bombay and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. To ensure total safety, Western Railway has requested concerned Municipal Corporation authorities to re-construct or get suitable repairs done for 6 bridges in its jurisdiction.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2018 04:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).