Gokhale Bridge Update: BMC Moves Second Girder, Eyes April 2025 Completion

On the night of September 4, 2024, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) achieved significant milestone in the Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge project. They successfully moved an iron girder on the southern side of the bridge by 25 meters over the railway section. This bridge connects Andheri East and West, and this movement marks a crucial step in advancing the project.

The first phase of this important infrastructure project was completed earlier this year. On February 26, 2024, light vehicles began using the initial section of the bridge. The current focus is on the second phase, which involves installing another girder. This challenging task started at 10 PM on September 4 and concluded at 5 AM on September 5.

Coordination with Western Railway

"Following approval from the Western Railway administration and securing the next railway block, the remaining distance will be covered," said an official from BMC's Bridge Department. "Coordination with Western Railway is ongoing to ensure smooth progress." The collaboration between BMC and Western Railway is essential for maintaining safety and efficiency throughout the project.

The girder's components were fabricated in Ambala and assembled on-site by August 24, 2024. Each girder spans 90 meters in length, measures 13.5 meters in width (accommodating three lanes in each direction), includes a 1-meter footpath, and weighs approximately 1,300 metric tons. Due to limited assembly space, a heavy-duty crane capable of rotating 360 degrees was used to position the girder accurately.

Technical Supervision and Safety Measures

"Installing this girder is a complex engineering challenge," added an official from BMC's Bridge Department. "M/s RITES Limited is overseeing the project under plans approved by Western Railway. Given the technical complexities and safety concerns, all work is done with proper railway traffic and power supply blocks in place." Ensuring safety during such intricate tasks is paramount.

Once fully moved into position, the girder will be lowered from a height of 14-15 meters to about 7.5 meters. Following this, final tasks such as crash barrier installation, road asphalting, and lane marking will be completed to make it ready for use.

Completion Timeline

The second phase of bridge work is expected to be finished by November 14, 2024. Meanwhile, municipal approach roads are anticipated to be completed by April 30, 2025. With these timelines in place, residents can look forward to improved connectivity between Andheri East and West soon.