13 July,2016 07:58 PM IST | | Tanvi Deshpande
Seven months after the bridge crumbled, motorists still forced to take longer routes as officials claim it won’t be ready before December because of the rains
No Mumbaikar is unaware of BMC's âcross that bridge later' policy, but seems like they took it quite literally as the Malad-Malwani bridge, which collapsed seven months ago injuring three people, is far from fixed.
The temporary bridge can only be used by pedestrians, which forces bikers to take a 3 km longer route to get to Malad west. Pic/Sameer Markande
After the Evershine Nagar bridge, which is used by pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, collapsed on December 13 last year, it took the civic body six months to finalise the design alone. And they only invited tenders last month. However, it won't be ready before December.
Lifeline cut
For all the Malwani residents who travel to Malad west everyday, the 50-year-old bridge was a lifeline, until it collapsed and injured three people. While two sustained minor injuries, one, an 18-year-old boy, suffered severe ones. The BMC was slow in clearing the space too as the debris was lying there for a long time before it was cleared and a temporary bridge was built. It's a narrow bridge and can only be used by pedestrians, which forces bikers to take a 3 km longer route. "People now have to go through gate no. 5, which is 3 km away. Besides, the bikers taking the Link Road slow down the traffic there. Even the pedestrians are having a tough time using the bridge due to monsoon," said Saeed Shaikh, a resident of Malwani MHADA colony.
Saeed is worried that the pedestrians might face another accident due to the frail temporary bridge. "Does it take six months to start work on such a small bridge? Is it because Malwani is not a priority for BMC?" he asks.
âNot delayed'
Local MLA Aslam Shaikh didn't call it a delay though. "It can't be said that the work has been delayed. I have been personally following up on the matter," he said.
He added that the new bridge will be wider. "The bids have recently been called for and I think the contract will be given by September. But since work can't start in monsoon, it will be October-end before it begins. We are hoping it will be complete by December," the MLA said.
Chief engineer (bridges) SO Kori and ward officer Sangita Hasnale were unavailable for comment.
