Hancock bridge: Bombay High Court asks civic body for status

In some good news for residents of Sandhurst, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has promised to construct a bridge in place of the demolished Hancock bridge within 11 months from the time the work commences.

Advocate Joel Carlos, appearing for the civic body, said, "The construction will be completed in two phases. The first will be completed within 11 months and the bridge will be thrown open to the public for use. The remaining will be completed in the next eight months thus allowing vehicles to ply."

The Bombay High Court has asked the civic body to submit details of the work plans and designs on Wednesday and also spell out the time when the actual work will commence.

Meanwhile, the Union Government and Central Railway informed the court that a temporary structure at the location cannot be built for aiding residents. The high court had earlier suggested the railways and corporation to seek advice from the Ministry of Defense in building a temporary foot-overbridge at Sandhurst Road.

The main reasons cited by the Railways were existence of a water pipe line bridge close to the proposed alignment which caters to JJ Hospital, schools and residential areas. There are 25 KV over head wires and shifting of these would disrupt the suburban rail.