BMC Instructs Consultants to Find Alternative Routes Before Demolishing Dilapidated Bridges in Mumbai
The Maharashtra government had ordered the BMC to do an audit and identify dilapidated bridges that need repair or should be demolished after Gokhale footover bridge collapsed in Andheri in July.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in its audit report on old and dilapidated bridges in Mumbai found that a total of 18 bridges are beyond repair. The BMC has now reportedly asked consultants to first find alternative routes before demolishing the bridges or structures. Out of the 18 bridges, three have already been demolished by the BMC.
The step was taken keeping in mind the inconvenience that demolishing the bridges would cause to commuters without an alternative route. Therefore, the BMC has decided to first instruct the consultants to find and construct an alternative route and then begin with the demolising work of the bridges.
The audit report was conducted on 296 BMC bridges. The report says that 18 bridges are in extremely bad condition and cannot be repaired, hence they have to be demolished, said a report in English daily Hindustan Times.
According to the report, the consultants will have to give the estimate of costs involved in the construction of new bridges along with description of alternative routes. A General Administrative Drawings (GAD) will also have to be prepared by the consultants. Mumbai Rains: Andheri Bridge That Collapsed Had 'Cleared Safety Audit' in November.
On July 3, during a particularly rainy day, a part of the Gokhale footover Bridge connecting Andheri East and West had collapsed on the tracks of Andheri station. Andheri Bridge Collapse: Blame Game Begins, BMC Passes the Buck on Railways.
The mishap had occurred near platform number eight and nine of the Andheri station, and therefore, the local trains going towards Virar and Churchgate had been affected. The government then ordered the BMC to do an audit of the bridges and identify dilapidated bridges that need repair or should be demolished.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2018 03:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).