The report holds both Indian Railways and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) responsible.
A preliminary report about the collapse of Gokhale Bridge prepared by the Commissioner of Railway Safety finds that laying of illegal utilities cables, without the Railways permission, led to the fall that killed one and injured four.
The report holds both Indian Railways and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) responsible.
It finds that MCGM was remiss in taking permission from the Railways before laying different utility cables on the south-end of the bridge and carrying out repairs on road surface. These 104 cables weighing 7 tonnes, along with paver blocks, wet sand and other materials used to lay them out added a whopping 124.44 tonnes of load to the 45-year-old bridge – 44.44 per cent more than its capacity, leading to the collapse on July 3. "The cables were threaded through a 1.2 meter wide concrete haunch that was 120mm thick," said the report.
"The cables were not visible from outside as most of them were under paver blocks. The cantilevered footpath was subjected to additional load of 44.44 percent." There was also a water pipeline weighing 41.86 tonnes for which provision was not made, despite it being accounted for in the original drawings.
The report also states that officials from MCGM did not appear for the CRS enquiry despite repeated reminders to the Municipal Commissioner.
The report has also made stringent recommendations that include agreements between the Railway and civic bodies for every FOB and ROB that passes over rail tracks and whose jurisdiction is in doubt. It also mentions that the bridge should continue to remain partially closed until rail authorities ascertain whether it can take vehicular load.
MCGM, during the course of the inquiry said that structural audit of the ROB, which falls under Railways jurisdiction, was not conducted by them. It only resurfaced the pathway, which collapsed, in 2013. The report has also recommended a separate post of Chief Engineer for Mumbai Suburban Rail System who will be responsible for rail bridges and tracks.
"I will come up with a detailed report within three or four months," said Sushil Chandra, who carried out the investigation.
"We will offer our remarks on the preliminary findings. Once the detailed report is submitted, necessary action will be taken," said Ravinder Bhakar, Chief PRO, Western Railway.
Extra Baggage
104 No of cables on the bridge
279.55 tonnes total weight capacity of the bridge
124.07 tonnes of additional weight in paver blocks, cables, wet sand
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