Mumbai’s newly reconstructed Sion Road Over Bridge (ROB), which was inaugurated with much fanfare, has now come under scrutiny after its elevated structure allegedly blocked the main entrance to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church and High School. The development has triggered concerns among students, parents, teachers, parishioners and local residents, who say the new bridge has created serious access and safety issues.
The school, which has around 3,500 students, is now dependent on a smaller side entrance as the bridge’s girder obstructs the original entry point to the compound. School buses, two-wheelers, ambulances and fire engines can no longer directly enter the premises. Senior citizens visiting the church are also facing difficulties, while wedding parties and funeral processions have been affected. An old, partly abandoned skywalk further complicates access to the premises.
In this ground report, Free Press Journal visited the affected area and spoke to teachers, students, parents, commuters and local residents to understand how the newly reconstructed bridge has impacted their daily lives. Teachers and residents expressed concern over the lack of vehicular access, particularly during medical emergencies. Parents questioned how an ambulance would reach the school if a student suddenly fell ill or required urgent medical attention. They also flagged uneven roads and the difficulties students face while entering and leaving the premises.
Residents alleged that they were not consulted during the bridge reconstruction and claimed that despite repeatedly writing to municipal authorities and seeking the construction plan, they have received no satisfactory response. The affected community has also organised a silent protest and is planning further demonstrations, demanding proper vehicular access to the school and church compound.
The century-old Sion ROB was shut to traffic in August 2024 after it was found to be in a precarious condition during a structural audit in 2019. Its reconstruction is part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), which involves the addition of the fifth and sixth railway lines between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kurla. Civic authorities have maintained that the bridge’s height had to be increased to meet railway clearance requirements.
While the reconstruction was necessary from an infrastructure and railway safety perspective, the affected community is now questioning whether the access requirements of the school, church and surrounding residents were adequately considered during the planning process.
Watch this FPJ ground report to hear directly from those affected and understand why Mumbai’s newly inaugurated Sion Bridge has become a matter of concern for the local community.
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