The Public Works Department wants to build a new one near Mahananda dairy in Goregaon, even as MMRDA is planning to raze six FOBs on the Western Express Highway for elevated Metro corridor
It looks like wastage of taxpayers’ money due to non-communication between government bodies, is the order of the day.
Pedestrians risk their lives to cross the WEH near Mahananda dairy. File pic
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While the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to raze six foot over bridges (FOBs) on the Western Express Highway (WEH) to make way for the Andheri (East)-Dahisar elevated Metro corridor, the Public Works Department (PWD) wants to construct a new five-metre-tall FOB, worth Rs 2 crore, near Mahananda dairy so that pedestrians can cross over safely.
PWD Engineer S S Deshmukh, in-charge of the WEH, said, “We have initiated the procedure to construct the FOB near Mahananda dairy so that pedestrians can safely go from one side of the highway to the other.”
While the new FOB may also be razed, commenting on its construction, another PWD official said the plan was chalked out earlier and the project is likely to be completed by May. “I can’t comment much on this matter, except for that the MMRDA will need our NOC before starting the Metro work on WEH because it falls under our jurisdiction.”
MMRDA Joint Project Director and spokesperson Dilip Kawathkar said, “It is true that some of the FOBs on WEH will be dismantled temporarily during the construction of the Dahisar to Andheri (East) elevated Metro corridor. We will inform the PWD about it as well.”
Resident speak
“Myriad accidents involving pedestrians occur between Mahananda dairy and Vanrai area on WEH. Hence, a bridge is a necessity. But if the structure is about to be razed soon then authorities should install a signal. It is the cheapest and a quick solution,” said Anand Padaichi, a Gundawli resident.
Danger zone
A survey conducted by road experts in 2004 had identified the location near Mahananda dairy as dangerous for pedestrians. Since 2004, there have been several accidents involving pedestrians and motorists at the same location. Following their survey, the experts had suggested construction of an FOB. In May 2015, a woman was run over during her attempt to cross the WEH near the dairy.
6
Number of FOBs MMRDA plans to dismantle on the WEH for construction of the Andheri (East)-Dahisar elevated Metro corridor
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