BMC plans to build 33 foot over bridges next year

After MMRDA shunned its plan to built criss-crossing skywalks over the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to bridge the gap with foot over bridges. The civic body has sanctioned plans to construct as many as 33 foot over bridges (FOB) in the city. This in spite of the fact the existing FOB’s rarely witness any pedestrian use, the civic administration has given its nod.

The only silver lining is the fact that BMC won’t have to shell out a single pie for their construction. These FOB’s will be constructed over by the private builders in lieu of advertising revenues.

However, the civic officials maintain that the idea has stuck a chord with them as constructing subways is a tedious task. “The proposal has been given a nod to reduce the pedestrian vehicular conflict in the city. Constructing underground subways is a cumbersome task. There are massive utilities lying underneath and the administration has to juggle with traffic issues. After series of meetings, we are planning to have foot over bridges in 33 locations in the city,” said a senior civic official from the Roads and Bridges department.

The FOB’s will be built across the city by end of 2011. Some of these FOB’s will be seen at Senapati Bapat marg, Worli naka, Annie Besant road, near Sion railway station, Sidhivinayk temple, Shivaji Park, Goregaon Link Road, Mahim Causeway, Ghatkopar-Mankhurd link road. A consultant has been appointed to draft the agreement of Expression of Interest (EOI) for the private parties to construct the FOB’s

This is a profitable plan as private developers will take up the task and the BMC would not incur any cost for their construction, he added. The private developer will construct the bridges on DBOT (Design Built Operate and Transfer) basis. “According to the terms and condition finalised the advertising concession rights would be given to the builder for around 30 years. After which the ownership right will be transferred to the administration’s hands,”  the official elaborated.

Standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale pointed out that the revenue generation power would still lie with the BMC as the private builder will construct the FOB’s in lieu of only 30% of the advertising rights.