While the thrust will be given on assessing the structural stability of British Era bridges existing mostly in the island city area, all the other bridges in the city and suburbs will be included in the inventory.
Three years after an independent Bridges department was set up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), it has been decided to prepare an inventory, history sheet and condition assessment of all the bridges in the city. BMC will spend Rs2.18 crore for collecting this data.
While the thrust will be given on assessing the structural stability of British Era bridges existing mostly in the island city area, all the other bridges in the city and suburbs will be included in the inventory. "There are 314 bridges and department will not have all kind of details of each and every bridge. Until now, the bridges were part of other department like city engineering and later it was added in Roads department. Now, the department has been given an independent identity. Hence, it's a new start," said a senior civic official, adding that tenders invited earlier did not receive good response as no construction work was involved in the contract.
The contract was only about research and structural stability assessment. Condition, details of foundation with sample testing, new drawings and measurements of records are not available. This is the second time department has issued tenders. In last eight months, all the necessary approvals have been sought. Now, the draft has gone to municipal secretary department which will be then tabled in statutory committee for approval. "As soon as the proposal is approved, the work order will be issued," said an official.
SM Kori, chief engineer bridges department, said that preparing of inventory and assessment is very important as the consultants will suggest us which bridges require or does not require repairs, if repairs are needed then what kind of repairs are needed. "We will not wait for the entire report to be completed and compiled. We will start taking necessary measures as and when we start getting the reports," said Kori.
When asked about Tilak Bridge in Dadar, the cheif engineer said that most vehicular bridges across the railway lines are regularly inspected by railways. Tilak bridge constructed in 1925 was inspected by railways and suggested repairs in 2014. BMC disbursed Rs2 crore for the same.
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