Mumbai: Andheri’s Gokhale bridge dilapidated, to be shut soon

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to close Gokhale bridge in Andheri that was under construction since a part of it collapsed in 2018. The civic officials and the traffic police will meet today to discuss traffic management.

Two people had died in the 2018 incident. Following which, the BMC took up the work to rebuild the bridge. It started constructing the approach road to the new bridge in 2020 and was to complete the work by April 2022. But the work was not finished.

Meanwhile, the traffic continued on the existing Gokhale bridge within the railway limits. In October, the BMC ordered a structural audit of this part of the bridge. The auditor, in the report, stated that the bridge was in a dilapidated condition, said civic officials. "The report was submitted after the second week of October. We then decided to close the bridge for traffic," the official added.

Also read: Mumbai: Traffic cops woo wandering teen with food, bike rides

Andheri West MLA Amit Satam visited the bridge on Tuesday and also demanded that the bridge be closed for traffic. "As a precautionary measure, we have decided to close the bridge for traffic movement. It will also help us complete the construction early. We will try to compile this work as soon as possible," said Sanjay Kaundanyapure, chief engineer, BMC's Bridges department.

A part of the Gokhale bridge, which connects east and west of Andheri, was supposed to be constructed by the railways as it fell within their limits. "However, the railways suggested that the BMC take up the work. The civic authority had prepared a design, but the railways suggested that we get it cleared by IIT-Bombay. We approached IIT-Bombay in September, and we were asked to make an advance payment," the official said.

"We have received the civic administration's approval to make an advance payment of R19 lakh to the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay. Next week, we will table a formal proposal to the civic chief," the official added.

Public unhappy

Miffed at the closure news and delay in the construction work, Andheri resident Dhaval Shah said, "A new bridge can be constructed in four years. However, citizens are going to bear the brunt of the authority's lack of planning. Traffic congestion in the western suburbs will very likely increase after the bridge is closed."

Karan Jotwani, another resident of Andheri who travels via the bridge daily, said, "Why didn't the authorities start construction of the entire bridge at the same time? Four years have been wasted. Now, they will waste more years. We, the taxpayers, are going to bear the brunt of this careless act of the administration."