Mumbai: Why work on Gokhale bridge has not yet begun

The BMC started constructing the approach road to the bridge in 2020. File pic/Sameer Markande

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to approve a proposal to pay fees to IIT-Bombay as consultant for the construction of the Gokhale bridge in Andheri. The Bridges Department has tabled the proposal, but the BMC's inaction is delaying further construction of the bridge. According to a senior BMC official, IIT-B has refused to check the drawings till their consultation fees are cleared by the civic body. The fees are allegedly pending due to approvals awaited from the civic chief as administrator.

After part of the Gokhale bridge collapsed in 2018, BMC started constructing the approach road to the new bridge in 2020 which was supposed to be over by April 2022. "The construction of part of the bridge within the railways premises was to be done by the railway administration. However, a few months ago, the Railways requested that the BMC construct this as well," said an official of the Bridge Department.

Why the delay

The BMC prepared drawings of part of the bridge which was submitted to the Railways. "The Railways asked the civic body to get the drawing approved from IIT-Bombay. IIT has asked us for fees of around Rs 18 lakh. However, the Accounts Department said that an amount of more than Rs 3 lakh cannot be given. Then we submitted a proposal for the same to the municipal commissioner for approval about 10 days back. As soon as we get approval we can start further work," A BMC official added.

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After the approval of the IIT, the drawings will be submitted to the railway administration. "After their approval, a decision will be made on whether the existing contractor should continue construction or whether a new contractor should be appointed. Construction of the bridge will take around 3 years more," the official added.

However, another senior BMC official said IIT-B has not yet checked the drawings. "The BMC has sent a proposal to IIT-B to check the drawings, but IIT-B has refused to check them till their consultation fees are cleared by the civic body. The fees are pending due to approvals awaited from the civic chief since he is the present administrator in absence of elected corporators and regular civic body," the senior official said.

Commuters upset

Karan Jothwani, a resident of Andheri, said "Why don't they decide before starting work? Part of the bridge collapsed in 2018 and construction on the new bridge began in 2020. Now construction of the full bridge will take more than 3 years. Until then should we travel through this traffic?"

Dhaval Shah, an activist said, "Two authorities can't decide which will construct a bridge in the past 5 years? How can they work like this? This bridge is a connector between Andheri East and West. How can they treat it in a casual manner?" Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal did not respond to mid-day's call and message.

With inputs from Rajendra B. Aklekar