Mumbai: Invoking the provisions of Disaster Management Act, the state government has given the entire authority and powers of bridge repairs to the newly-appointed BMC commissioner. This is being seen as a major decision which will speed up the repairing process and ensure quality by holding the BMC commissioner solely responsible for quality of these repairs.
This was decided in the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The meeting was called as per the request of the BJP MLA and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar which was attended by MP Gopal Shetty, MLAs Amit Satam, Raj Purohit, BMC Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi, MMRDA commissioner RA Rajeev, Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Barve, Divisional Railway Managers of Central and Western Railways.
Since the bridge repairs in Mumbai is generally very slow process, like delay in getting sanctions from various departments, mandatory tender process is also time-consuming. This red tapism is being attributed as a main reason for non-repair of bridges in Mumbai.
BMC has shut down its 29 bridges after the structural audit. These 29 bridges will now be repaired as per the discretionary emergency powers granted to BMC commissioner under the Disaster Management Act. After the collapse of Himalaya bridge at CSMT, the issue of bridge repairing got momentum.
Three bridges to remain partially open
The BMC has earlier planned to repair Juhu Tara, Ghatkopar and Versova bridges by keeping them totally closed. But the MLAs opposed this citing the reason of inconvenience to common man. CM Fadnavis intervened and BMC decided to keep the bridges partially open, Ashish Shelar said. This will be done by using concrete over-lay process suggested by the reputed engineering institute VJTI. These repairing work will be finished in three weeks after the start of the actual work.
New App to be developed
The common public will be informed about the bridge repairs and road diversions or closing through the Mobile App. The app will be aimed to avoid traffic congestion in the area near the bridges. It will give real time traffic updates in these areas. BMC, Railways, MMRDA will install notice boards to keep the commuters informed about the start of work, time required to complete the work.