After a gap of more than two years, the BMC has finally started reconstruction of the Sion-Dharavi-Mahim bridge, which had collapsed in 2011. The revamp will be done at the cost of '11 crore. The bridge connects traffic from Sant Rohidas junction, Sion and Dharavi to the Bandra junction. It was built in 1982 by the state public works department (PWD) and was later handed over to the BMC for maintenance in 1993. In August 2011, a portion of the culvert over Mahim creek had collapsed. After the collapse, the four-lane bridge was converted to a one-way, affecting traffic in the region. Since then traffic has been diverted on the parallel Sion-Mahim bridge. The technical consultant on this project had emphasised reconstructing the entire bridge to ensure its stability. Civic standing committee chairman, Rahul Shewale, inaugurated the reconstruction project at the Sant Rohidas Nullah on Monday, thus complying with the long-pending demand of local residents and commuters. “The BMC also has plans to construct new roads and bridges in Dharavi,” he said. Last year, residents of Dharavi held demonstrations to protest BMC’s sluggish approach towards the repair of bridge. They had blocked the road demanding immediate reconstruction work of the bridge. “The bridge is an important link as it connects traffic from Sant Rohidas Junction, Sion, Dharavi to Bandra junction and hence its reconstruction was needed on priority basis,” said a civic official from the roads department. According to civic officials, the reconstruction project was delayed due to delay in finalising the design of the bridge. “Since 2011, reconstruction plans have undergone two design changes before finally getting the nod in January,” an official said. The project has been allotted to M/s Ram Builders and is expected to be completed in 18 months.
