Dangerous Carnac bridge must be razed soon

Central Railway. File pic

Carnac bridge in south Mumbai is a threat and warrants urgent demolition, according to recommendations made by the IIT some years ago, the Central Railway has reminded civic authorities once again, read a report in this paper.

This recommendation was made following the Elphinstone stampede and Andheri bridge pathway collapse.

Officials are worried and different authority arms did have a meeting recently, stating that the bridge needs to go from a people's safety perspective.

Those in charge stated that they are working on other bridges and this one, built in 1868 between CSMT and Masjid railway stations, will be demolished after work on the others is complete. They are also waiting for a green light from the traffic police authorities.

It is important that safety is given priority and whatever measures needed in the interim period to ensure that people are safe are taken.
We have seen several infra projects deemed as dangerous, awaiting some clearance or the other, standing despite being certified a threat by a relevant authority.

Then when disaster strikes leading to tragic loss of life, different agencies start finger pointing. Some junior scapegoats are found and blamed and jailed. The families who are affected are given compensation; sometimes this is promised, but we see a shameful run from pillar to post by people who are supposedly promised compensation but have not got it. Those who lost their near and dear ones are steeped in tragedy and suffer their whole life.

We have to learn lessons from the past and move expeditiously when there is a threat cited. If we are not going to abide by reports commissioned by qualified and credible experts, then why commission reports? Is it simply to assuage angry people or to be seen as doing something? Let us cut the red tape and take action in the best interests of all.