'We can now run, play on bridge'

Kids overjoyed after civic officials complete repairing rickety Anik Nagar bridge in less than 10 days following MiD DAY's report

Afteru00a0risking the lives of several residents of Anik Nagar by asking them to make use of the rickety bridge over the Kurla nullah ('Is BMC waiting for kids to die?', July 30), BMC officials, spurred by MiD DAY reports, have taken swift action and completed repairs on the bridge on August 17 in less than 10 days'.


Bridging safety: Local residents use the foot-overbridge, which was
repaired in 10 days after MiD DAY repeatedly raised the issue.


The first report on July 30. Pic/Shadab Khan

Vijay Salgaonkar, the contractor responsible for the bridge's repair work, said, "Understanding the urgency of the issue, MLA Chandrakanth Handore requested us to work overtime and complete the repairs as soon as possible. Taking his request into consideration, we worked tirelessly and finished the project before time."

Residents of the area are a happy bunch as the repair work of the bridge means they will no longer have to risk their lives every time they choose to use the bridge. Bharat Ghure, a resident of Mahatma Phule Nagar whose son Aakash is in Std VIII at Bhaurao Patil School, said, "The workers toiled tirelessly, which is why the work got done so fast. I feel much safer when my children use the bridge now."

Ramakanth Chitnis, a resident, said, "When the bridge broke, we had lost hope of any work being done on it."
The BMC had put a board saying that it would not be responsible for anyone falling in the creek. But after the media took up the issue, officials finished the repairs."

Echoing the same happiness, Piyush Chawla, a student, added, "The new bridge is so much better. Now, we run and play across the bridge without a care in the world." An official from L ward, the area under which the bridge falls, said that the bridge is expected to last for the next five to seven years without any need for repairs.