Mumbai Rains: 6 injured as foot overbridge collapses in Andheri west; rescue operation underway

Mumbai has been recieving continuous heavy rains since Monday evening. Six people have been injured after a part of Road Over Bridge (ROB) collapsed on the railway tracks near Andheri station towards Vile Parle on South end on Tuesday. The Gokhale bridge which connects Andheri East and Andheri West stations was built around 1976 and is used by thousands of commuters each day.

Fire services personnel and NDRF teams are the spot. BEST has said it will run more buses to make up for the disruption in train services.

Speaking on the incident Mumbai fire Brigade said,''It's part of Gokhale bridge that connects Andheri east & Andhari west. We are at the spot & trying to check with the locals if some one is missing as they might be trapped under the debris.''

Part of Road Over Bridge (ROB), collapsed on tracks near Andheri Station towards Vile Parle on South end. Over Head Equipment (OHE) damaged. Traffic on all lines held up: Western railway PRO pic.twitter.com/1BABotFssi

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2018

"A part of the foot overbridge has collapsed which has halted our up and down services of Western Railway. Our officers have reached to the spot and accessing the situation," said Western Railway spokesperson Ravinder Bhakar.

"Thankfully, no train was passing beneath the track," he added.

Mumbai's Dabbawalas have suspended all their tiffin box deliveries in this part of the city, but would continue on other routes.

Firemen worked in the rain at the collapsed bridge, trying to see if anyone was trapped in the debris. A National Disaster Response Force team also reached the spot.

Meanwhile, CM Devendra Fadnavis spoke to CP Mumbai Police and BMC commissioner on Gokhale Bridge Collapse incident. The CM asked CP to ensure smooth traffic movement and also asked BMC commissioner to increase frequency of BEST buses for convenience of commuters.

CM @Dev_Fadnavis spoke to @CPMumbaiPolice and BMC commissioner on #GokhaleBridgeCollapse incident. CM asked CP to ensure smooth traffic movement and also asked BMC commissioner to increase frequency of BEST buses for convenience of commuters. #MumbaiRains

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) July 3, 2018

Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO), Central Railway said that trains on Central Railway's main, harbour and transharbour lines are running normally.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya tweeted after the Andheri bridge collapsed. "I have requested both Railways and BMC to undertake structural audit of all Road over bridges and foot over bridges, which are more than 20 years old or found weak or over utilised."

Andheri ROB collapse, I have requested both Railways and BMC to undertake structural audit of all Road over bridges and foot over bridges, which are more than 20 years old or found weak or over utilised

— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) July 3, 2018

Western Railways tweeted that restoration work of the over-head equipment and tracks between Andheri and Vile Parle station is underway. The stretch was affected after part of road overbridges near Andheri collapsed on Tuesday morning.

Restoration of OHE & tracks bet Andheri & Vile Parle which is affected due to falling of part of ROB is underway. Trains are working bet Virar - Goregaon & Bandra-Churchgate but It is advised to travel only if its very necessary to avoid inconvenience please. #WRUpdates @drmbct

— Western Railway (@WesternRly) July 3, 2018

Authorities have issued the following helpline numbers:

Andheri
022-676 30054

Churchgate
022-67622540

Borivali
022-67634053

Mumbai Central
022-67644257

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain in parts of Mumbai and Thane on Tuesday and Wednesday as well.

The heavy rains have once again left mumbaikars vulnerable with reports of waterlogging slow traffic movement being reported from several parts of the city. Overflowing drains are only adding to the problem as Mumbai wakes up to another rainy day.