Sion Bridge Demolition Begins to Expand Rail

Mumbai’s infrastructure overhaul took a significant step forward on Sunday as the dismantling of the 110-year-old Sion road overbridge commenced.

The work began with the removal of seven ageing steel girders during a five-hour railway block between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Vidyavihar. This marks the first physical stage in a long-awaited project to replace the structurally unsafe bridge and make room for a future-ready railway network that prioritises safety, connectivity, and capacity. The Central Railway (CR), in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is spearheading this vital project that not only replaces a deteriorated century-old structure but also facilitates the laying of the fifth and sixth rail lines—critical to decongesting Mumbai’s overburdened suburban network. The new bridge will span 51 metres over the tracks, an increase from the existing 40-metre length, and will be constructed without piers over the rail corridor, a design shift that promises smoother operations and fewer long-term risks.

Officials confirmed that the bridge dismantling was conducted smoothly under a block scheduled between 10.55 a.m. and 3.55 p.m., during which routine maintenance and upgrade works were also carried out across the same rail section. This coordination between multiple upgrade works is part of the broader thrust toward optimising rail downtime while accelerating infrastructure improvements. The demolition of the Sion bridge has faced delays since its closure in August 2024. Preliminary work was obstructed by the presence of a public toilet block and four trees within the demolition zone. These obstacles, now cleared, had brought attention to the bureaucratic lag and coordination issues that often plague urban infrastructure efforts in densely populated areas like Mumbai.

Originally constructed during the early 20th century, the Sion road overbridge connected the Eastern Express Highway with Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road and Dharavi Road. A structural audit by a premier technical institute in 2020 had flagged the bridge as unsafe, noting that it posed serious risks to trains operating underneath. Despite these warnings, it took over four years for the actual dismantling process to begin—highlighting the urgent need for a more proactive and sustainable infrastructure maintenance strategy in the city. The decision to increase the bridge length and eliminate mid-span supports over the rail lines aligns with newer standards for safety, minimal disruption, and future scalability. These design choices are in step with the broader vision of a sustainable and resilient Mumbai—where public transport plays a central role in reducing emissions, road congestion, and energy inefficiency.

The reconstruction project is estimated to cost ₹50 crore, jointly funded by the Central Railway and the BMC. Officials said the entire redevelopment, including the bridge and its approach roads, will take 30 months to complete post-demolition. The project is expected to enhance safety for rail commuters and road users while creating a foundational support system for new rail lines crucial to Mumbai’s long-term urban mobility needs. Meanwhile, the Sion railway station itself is undergoing a significant transformation to accommodate the proposed fifth and sixth lines. This includes a slight westward shift in the station’s footprint and the construction of new platforms. The existing heritage platform, which includes a historic hut, is slated to be converted into an island platform, enabling trains to operate on both sides—a critical move to increase capacity and service frequency on the Central Railway’s main corridor.

Experts in railway and urban planning note that the expansion of Mumbai’s railway infrastructure, particularly through the addition of new lines and modernised stations, is essential to achieving more inclusive, low-emission urban mobility. With over 7 million daily commuters relying on suburban rail services, infrastructure upgrades like the Sion bridge replacement directly impact quality of life, economic productivity, and the city’s environmental footprint. Urban mobility specialists have also stressed the importance of ensuring that large-scale infrastructure upgrades are executed with minimal disruption to surrounding communities, equitable access to transport, and sustainability baked into design and material choices. The new bridge, by eliminating supports over the railway zone, not only reduces long-term maintenance costs but also ensures uninterrupted train movement—making it a forward-looking solution in both form and function.

While the project still has a long way to go, its commencement brings a renewed sense of urgency and optimism to Mumbai’s transport infrastructure landscape. As the city looks to the future, investments in safe, efficient, and green mobility systems like this one will be vital to building a more liveable, equitable, and climate-resilient urban future.

Sion Bridge Demolition Begins to Expand Rail