Andheri bridge collapse: Mumbai's Western Railway network paralysed after heavy rains cause part of FOB to crash

Part of a footover bridge (FOB) at Mumbai’s suburban Andheri railway station collapsed on Tuesday morning, bringing train services to a halt as heavy rains lashed the city.

No casualties were reported at the time of writing. However, the news agency ANI reported saying five persons were injured although nobody’s been trapped under the debris. It also quoted police officials as saying train services will resume in about four hours.

Overhead Equipment (OHE) has been damaged and a team of engineers has swung into action to restore it, chief PRO of Western Railway, Ravinder Bhakar, told PTI. “A part of the FOB has collapsed which resulted in all up and down services of Western Railway halting. Our officers have reached the spot and are accessing the situation,” he said.

An official from the Disaster Management Unit said that fire brigade jawans and other agencies have been mobilised to clear the debris.

The city’s traffic situation also remained extremely congested, as commuters who were using the bridge to cross the railway lines were forced to look for alternatives. The Mumbai Police gave alternate directions to motorists.

Commuters travelling from Andheri East to West are advised to follow
Bisleri junction- Teli Galli - Surve Chowk - Andheri subway - S V road #GokhaleBridgeCollapse

— मुंबई पोलीस - Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) July 3, 2018

#GokhaleBridgeCollapse Commuters travelling from West to East may follow
JVPD - Sujay hospital junction - mithibai collage - SV road - capt.Gore flyover Parla - Parla east - adhar junction - Parla junction to WEH

— मुंबई पोलीस - Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) July 3, 2018

#GokhaleBridgeCollapse Commuters travelling from West to East could also take JVPD - Sujay hospital junction - BMW junction - slip road of Rajiv Gandhi flyover - S V road - Capt Gore flyover - adhar junction - Parla junction - WEH

— मुंबई पोलीस - Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) July 3, 2018

#GokhaleBridgeCollapse Commuters travelling from SV road to WEH
OR WEH to SV road may follow Mrunal tai Gore flyover / khiranager junction - Milan flyover/ Khar subway to reach their destination

— मुंबई पोलीस - Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) July 3, 2018

“At around 7.30 am, a part of the FOB fell down towards Andheri station east. Fire brigade, Mumbai Police and ward staff have rushed to the spot,” said the official adding no casualty was reported so far.

He said that it appeared that that incessant rain caused cracks in the FOB, which resulted in the collapse. Thankfully, no train was passing beneath the track," he added.

Meanwhile, the stoppage of Western Railway suburban services have paralysed the city. Prashant Ghag, who works at a media house at Fort said, “When I reached Borivili to board a Churchgate-bound train, I found out that all the lines of Western Railway had come to halt. Therefore, finding no alternate means of commute in such a rainy season, I had to return home.”

The city’s dabbawalas who supply tiffin boxes to the working professionals, have also expressed their inability to work, as all four lines of the Western Railway suburban services have shuddered to a halt.

With inputs from PTI

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