3 yrs on, BMC yet to check 58 ‘dangerous’ bridges

Three years after a survey by the state-appointed panel first surveyed 58 bridges in the city declaring them ‘dangerous’, the municipal corporation is still to appoint consultants to conduct an investigation into the bridges. HT Correspondent reports.

Three years after a survey by the state-appointed panel first surveyed 58 bridges in the city declaring them ‘dangerous’, the municipal corporation is still to appoint consultants to conduct an investigation into the bridges.

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The municipal body is currently in the stage of finalising consultants to carry out detailed investigations in all the bridges.

The catch, however, is that the work will begin only after the monsoon and will take about six months to be over.

Of the 58 bridges named as dangerous, only 34 fall under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) jurisdiction. The rest are in railway territory.

Ironically, a day after the criticism by the State Technical Advisory Committee's (STAC), chairman N.V. Merani's, Friday saw an iron cross-bar of a foot-overbridge in Charni Road station collapsing in the morning.

Even though no one was injured in the incident, it led to confusion because fast-trains had to be diverted to the slow track from Marine Lines. An enquiry has been ordered into the incident.

As far as municipal corporation’s action on the committee’s observations is concerned, A.V. Ralkar, chief engineer (roads), said the process to appoint consultants was in the final stages.

“We will appoint consultants in the next two months who will be carrying out a detailed investigation in all the 34 bridges. The report is likely to be out in about six months,” he said.

The BMC has divided these 34 bridges into groups of six, and will be appointing six consultants accordingly.

These consultants will also be recommending the scheme of work to be done the bridges.

Merani has, however, slammed the BMC for the delay in starting work on the bridges. Commenting on the delay, Merani said: “Government servants work only when there is an emergency.”

Lamenting on the red-tape involved in initiating work, Merani said: “The authorities should understand in an emergency situation they should cut down on its procedure and started work as soon as possible.”

STAC had, in 2007, conducted an inspection of the city’s flyovers, foot overbridges and road overbridges in the city and declared 58 bridges unsafe.