Indian Army successfully completes 80pc construction of Elphinstone FOB
The Indian Army successfully launched a Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at Elphinstone Station. This bridge connects the north end of Parel to the flower market lane of the Elphinstone side of the station. A senior army official said 80 percent work of phase 4 will be completed tonight, while staircase and ramp which comes under phase 5 will be completed within 15 days.
It is the Bailey bridge which is made of 'High carbon steel' and it 240-feet long which can carry 8 tonnes of weight and has a staircase on one side and ramp on another side. “Till now we have constructed 200 feet long bridge, remaining 40 feet will be constructed tonight,” said an army official. The Bombay Sappers Engineering Team from the Indian Army launched the final girders of the assembled Bailey bridge at Elphinstone station in about 20 minutes and fixed them on the foundations, completing the initial launch procedure.
“We had completed the foundation work of the bridge and launched its pillars over the past one month. On Saturday, we mounted the girder the part of the bridge which can be used by commuters once completed. The remaining work would require the contractor to make staircases and a cover on the bridge under our supervision. This will be completed within 15 days,” said a Brigadier Dheeraj Mohan, Commandant of the Bombay Engineer Group and Centre.
He further added they were given the responsibility of constructing the bridge on October 31.
“We had set aside two months for planning and one month for execution, soil testing and alignment. We started the work on December 10,” said Brigadier Dheeraj Mohan.
The station has a large number of vendors who travel with flowers on heavy baskets and luggage, leading to overcrowding. The bridge, built by the Army at a cost of Rs 8 crore.
The official said a large number of innovations was also undertaken at the site to meet the peculiar requirements, and it was possible due to thorough planning, hard work put in by the Army Sappers, and an excellent bonhomie shared between the Army and the railways.