Coordinator appointed by BMC for rebuilding Hancock Bridge

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appointed a coordinator for reconstruction of Hancock Bridge in Mazgoan upon instructions from the railways.

The 137-year-old Hancock Bridge was demolished in January 2016 after it was declared unsafe by Central Railway. Reconstruction was then stalled for almost two years, as the contractor appointed by the BMC was blacklisted. In May 2016, the civic body awarded the contract to J Kumar firm, which was then blacklisted by the BMC for a road scam. Fresh tenders were then floated and the project was awarded to Sai Projects in February this year.

The total cost of reconstruction will be Rs 51.70 crore. Work was supposed to begin immediately and was expected to be completed within a year. But it stopped since the Railways wasn't ready to give permission without a coordinator. It suggested two coordinators: Ms Rites Ltd and Ms Ircon Ltd, of whom the former was appointed by the BMC. It will be paid Rs 1.80 crore for services rendered.

The Railways wasn't ready to give clearance until the coordinator was appointed who would supervise work within Railway premises. Now that one has been appointed, the civic body expects work to resume.

Hancock Bridge, a stone and iron structure between Mazgaon and Sandhurst Road stations, was built in 1879. It was named after Colonel HF Hancock, who was the president of Bombay Municipal Corporation (presently Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). The bridge was rebuilt in 1923.