Mumbai: Sion bridge revamp sends 20 bus routes for a toss

The 110-year-old Sion rail overbridge being barricaded ahead of its demolition. File pic/Satej Shinde

After the removal of the Sion rail overbridge, at least 20 routes of the Bombay Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses will be affected. Five routes will be terminated, while 15 other routes will be diverted from the Chunabhatti BKC connector and Pila Bungalow, impacting over 10,000 commuters.

Central Railway has decided to demolish the 110-year-old Sion rail over the bridge to create space for the railway's 5th and 6th lines. There's a possibility that Central Railway will execute this demolition this month. "We have obtained all permissions to close this bridge for traffic. Some preliminary work has already begun, such as barricading the area and issuing public notices about diversions," said a Central Railway official.

Meanwhile, as this bridge serves as the primary link between the Eastern Express Highway and Dharavi, around 23 BEST bus routes currently traverse it. A BEST official stated that 15 routes will be altered, some diverted, and two routes will terminate at Rani Laxmi Bai Chowk bus depot in Sion.

Sachin Chowgule, a resident of Dharavi, said, "BEST should initiate new bus routes from Sion station's west side to south Mumbai, western, and eastern suburbs." Given the significance of the Sion rail over the bridge as a major junction, hundreds of commuters from Dharavi rely on BEST buses. Chowgule added that introducing new routes from Sion station would greatly facilitate commuting.

Simultaneously, BEST has proposed allowing bus traffic via the Dharavi 90-feet road to reduce travel by at least 3-4 km from Dharavi depot to Pila Bungalow. However, due to traffic congestion on the 90-feet road, BMC is yet to make a decision, according to a BEST official.

110
Age of the Sion rail overbridge

20
Approx. No. of BEST bus routes to be affected