Kurla-Sion FOB dismantled, locals want it reconstructed

MUMBAI: After dismantling of the foot over-bridge (FOB) between Kurla and Sion Saturday night, locals in Kurla and Gorakhanath mandal of Chunabhatti have sought its reconstruction the soonest possible as its absence is inconveniencing residents who used it to visit the local market. Central Railway (CR) authorities however said that the new bridge will be constructed in October.

Rail Yatri Parishad president and Kurla resident Subash Gupta demanded that a new bridge be constructed at the same place. The bridge, which was built in 1955, was dilapidated, hence the CR banned its use one month ago, said local resident Harishchand Gupta.

Sanjay Kumar Pankaj, senior deputy general manager of CR, who is also holding additional charge as divisional railway manager (DRM) of the Mumbai division, said that the new bridge would be constructed in October.

Yuvaraj Ghadge, a local resident of Gorakhnath mandal, said, “We will have to face hardship while taking a longer route. We will have to use Sawadeshi mill bridge towards Sion to reach Takiyaward market in Kurla (west).”

“The bridge is very much needed for 8,000 residents of Gorakhnath mandal, Swadeshi mill and Nagoba chowk, as all of us go to the Takiyaward market for purchasing vegetables and medicines,” he added.

Mr Pankaj said that the bridge will be constructed five to seven metres away from the old FOB. “As the monsoon is round the corner, the bridge will be constructed from October 2018; it will be completed in the next four months,” he said.