The audit report of bridges and foot-over-bridges (FOB) revealed that work bridges, which are in dangerous condition and in dire need of reconstruction, has been delayed in the administrative procedure. While the general arrangement drawing (GAD) of some of the bridges are under preparation, soil investigation of some others are on.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had carried out structural audit of 296 bridges in the city. The audit revealed that 18 bridges and FOBs need to be demolished and rebuilt immediately. As per the report, 10 bridges and eight FOBs are extremely dangerous. The civic body spent around Rs 3 crore for the audit.
An FOB on road and railway track in Chandivali in Marine Lines has also been declared dangerous and need to be rebuilt. However, the GAD of both FOBs and FOBs on railway track is under preparation. Soil testing is going on for at least five bridges like a bridge near Onkareshwar temple in Borivali.
The GAD of FOB in Mulund (West) near Mulund Colony has already been prepared and submitted.
However, approval is not received by the Bridge department. According to an official from the department, GAD is an important part of bridge construction and its approval is important. For bridges or FOB in railway jurisdiction, BMC’s Bridge department has to obtain GAD from the railway. “Railways seeks changes in the GAD and we have to incorporate all those,” said an official from the Bridge department, adding that the whole process is time consuming.
The audit has focused in three areas. First, it found out bridges that are in good condition and then those which need minor repair. A senior official from Bridge department of BMC said that the report helped them to find bridges that need major repair as well as those that should be demolished and required to be constructed a new one.
As per the report, around 110 bridges are in good condition while 107 need minor repair. However, 61 bridges need major repairs.
Ravi Raja, Congress corporator and leader of opposition in BMC, moved a point of order on the condition of bridges in the city and sought immediate reconstruction. “The BMC also sought audit report of money given to railway for repair of FOB and Bridges,” said Raja.
BRIDGE WOES
- SBI Colony Bridge Dahisar
- Walbhat Bridge over nullah Goregaon (east)
- Gandhi Nagar, Tekdi Kurar Village Bridge Malad
- SCLR Bridge
- Near Bihari Tekdi Bridge Kandivali (east)
- Irani Wadi Bridge Kandivali (west)
- SVP Road Bridge Kandivali (west)
- Akurli Road Bridge Kandivali (west)
- Hari Masjid nullha Bridge Saki Naka
- Chirag Nagar Bridge in LBS Road Ghatkopar
AUDIT FOCUS
The audit has focused in three areas. First, it found out bridges that are in good condition and then those which need minor repair. A senior official from Bridge department of BMC said that the report helped them to find bridges that need major repair as well as those that should be demolished and required to be constructed a new one.
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