Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), constructing the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC)-Eastern Express Highway connector, launched six girders each, above the Sion and Chunabhatti rail overbridges (ROBs) over the weekend.
According to the MMRDA officials, the work was undertaken early on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the 52-metre long girders, weighing 480 tonnes, were launched above the Sion ROB, while girders weighing 600 tonnes were launched above the Chunabhatti ROB.
Their installation will help in the construction of a bridge across Mithi river and the ROBs on the Central Railway’s Main and Harbour lines, according to the MMRDA. With the launching of girders, the most crucial work in the construction of this BKC-EEH connector has been completed and the authority expects to soon throw open the bridge to the public.
R A Rajeev, the metropolitan commissioner said, “Constructing bridges above railway lines has never been an easy task. However, our engineers received cooperation from railway authorities and contractors could complete the work in the set timeline.” Once the elevated connector from BKC to EEH, costing Rs 122 crore, is open, it will decongest traffic in the Sion-Dharavi region, reducing distances by three kilometres and cutting travel time by 30 minutes.
