One of the oldest rail bridges — the one between Bandra and Khar stations that connects the Harbour line and was built in 1980 — will soon be demolished to accommodate its replacement right next to it, the construction of which has already started by the Western Railway (WR). The 38-year-old rail bridge is being demolished to accommodate the fifth and sixth rail lines meant to facilitate smoother movement of long-distance trains. Currently, the work of soil testing is underway right at the end of the rail bridge on the Borivali end where a tall crane is digging deep trenches on an empty rail land next to the slow line where trains towards Virar ply. A temporary alignment of the new bridge with white markings has been drawn. Huge metal rolls have also been placed at the site which will be replaced by pillars. "Right now soil testing and other related works are underway. As per plans, we will construct a new rail bridge and demolish the older one," said Ravindra Bhakar, Chief PRO, Western Railway. The new bridge is being constructed at a cost of around Rs 40 crore and shall be around 40 meters ahead, towards Khar where the landing will end. It will take at least two years for completing the new rail bridge on which Harbour-bound trains shall run. This demolition is part of the multi-crore plan to add two more rail lines — fifth and sixth — between Borivali and Mumbai Central to facilitate long-distance trains. In place of the existing bridge, two rail new lines will be laid down coming all the way from Mahim and going towards Santacruz. Sources said that the formation of trains — namely the Harbour, slow and fast lines shall be gradually tweaked towards the west side and additional space will be created on the east side for accommodating fifth and sixth lines.

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