The old Elphinstone bridge connecting Parel and Prabhadevi in central Mumbai was completely demolished early on Sunday morning as part of the ongoing removal work of the structure, officials said, adding that the bridge was fully removed by 7:14 am.
According to the officials, to carry out the demolition safely, a block was imposed on suburban railway lines. The removal block on the UP and DOWN slow lines was cleared at 7:06 am, while the UP and DOWN fast lines were restored at 7:14 am.
The demolition and restoration of services were completed in a coordinated manner, ensuring minimal disruption to commuters during the early hours, officials said.
Railway officials stated that all lines are now fully operational. Suburban train services have resumed as per the regular Sunday timetable.
Midnight blocks between Parel and Currey Road station
Earlier, the Central Railway had on Wednesday announced special traffic and power blocks to facilitate the dismantling of panels of the Elphinstone Road Over Bridge (ROB).
The dismantling work by the authorities was being carried out between Parel railway station and Currey Road railway station.
As per the official statement, the blocks were carried out over two consecutive nights, April 2/3 and April 3/4, primarily during midnight hours to minimise disruption to suburban services.
The block was implemented on the section between Byculla railway station (excluding crossovers) and Dadar railway station (excluding platforms).
Midnight on April 3 (Thursday/Friday), services on the Up slow line and both UP and DOWN fast lines were affected from 12:30 am to 4:30 am.
On the following night, April 3/4 (Friday/Saturday), the block was imposed on the UP Fast line during the same time window.
Several trains diverted
Due to the block, several long-distance trains were diverted.
Officials had said that train number 11020 Konark Express was being diverted between Matunga and Byculla on both nights and will halt twice at Dadar station.
Additionally, on the night of April 3/4, 12810 Howrah-CSMT Mail and 12134 Mangaluru-CSMT Express was diverted on the same route with a double halt at Dadar.
Central Railway had also urged the commuters to plan their journeys accordingly during the period.
