Danger: Bridge ahead

MiD DAY takes a trip on and under 4 of the oldest bridges in the city. While it's a miracle some have not collapsed yet, others are just about safe... for now

That the city's old infrastructure needs an overhaul of one sort or the other will not come as a surprise to many.

The Standing Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) appointed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already carried out a study of practically all the bridges and has provided recommendations for their upkeep.


The state of the Kemp's Corner Flyover, Mahalakshmi

It has enumerated some 56 bridges that are in a bad state, and asked the civic and railway authorities to monitor and maintain them on a regular basis.

In the light of the report, MiD DAY undertook a sample inspection of four of the oldest bridges in the city.
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For a professional analysis, we sought assistance from civil engineer and transport expert Sudhir Badami (in pic below). The analyst said that if the bridges are not tended to, we could expect mishaps, endangering lives.

The visits to the four sites were undertaken in bright daylight, barring the one to Khar Subway. However, there was adequate light from the headlights of cars for its inspection.

A first-look survey exposed visible cracks and friable concrete falling from the slabs that make up the underside of Kemp's Corner bridge, heavy water leakage at the Princess Street bridge, a shaky and slippery pedestrian walkway at Elphinstone, and peeling plaster at Khar Subway.

The following is a low-down of the inspection of the bridges, as given by Badami. He is of the opinion that the bridges need immediate repairs to avoid mishaps.

Princess Street bridge
Connectivity: An important link between Charni Road on its western side and Marine Drive on the eastern side, the bridge was built around 1966.
Observation: The bridge recently underwent restoration of the fenders connecting the structure. There was water leakage along one of the central beams holding the bridge together on the Charni Road side. Consequently, minor cracks have developed. Located close to the sea, the bridge is exposed to salty breezes. As such, to neutralise the impact of the corrosive environment, it is imperative that the cracks be sealed. Otherwise, major damage could be caused to it.


Kemp's Corner Flyover
Built around 1962, it has officially been renamed Dr Gopalrao Deshmukh Uddanpul. The bridge has the distinction of being the city's first flyover.
Connectivity: It connects Hughes Road to Pedder Road at Kemp's Corner. In February 2000, Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai carried out a study of traffic in the area, and found that 94,000 vehicles used the route everyday.
Observation: The slabs that constitute the northern edge of the bridge, over the Godrej Garden, reveal exposed reinforcements. The cause was obvious: water seepage from pipelines on the road uphill. It is difficult to renovate as a police station and a public toilet huddle under and mask the base of the flyover. The space crunch stands in the way of the bridge's maintenance.

Elphinstone road overbridge
Also known as Karol Bridge, it is one of the oldest bridges the city has, constructed in 1913.
Connectivity: It connects the Parel depot on its western side to the arterial Ambedkar Road on its east. It acts as a crucial link to KEM Hospital from Matunga and Dadar (W).
Observation: The approach to the bridge is by stone masonry walls embedded in an old earth fill. An arched tunnel connects its north and south sides. The bridge itself is made-up of prefabricated sections and rolled iron beams riveted together. The vertical supports and girders appear well-maintained, though they require a coat of fresh paint.
However, the iron-paved pedestrian section along the bridge's side needs to be firmly gripped to the right wall.

Khar Subway Bridge
It is one of the oldest subways in Mumbai.
Connectivity: It connects the western and eastern sides of Khar. In the absence of a rail over bridge in the area, the subway is the only mode for east-west connectivity and to the Western Express Highway.
Observation: Just as the railway yard at Khar expanded, the subway had to be extended. The rail tracks have been laid over the subway. Sections of concrete have been reinforced with steel trusses in the way of repairs. The concrete slabs that make up the roof of the subway seem askew. As water logging in the subway prevents pedestrians to walk through during monsoons, the walking section was raised.u00a0 But the headroom that has left is inadequate for a six-foot person. The road and the footpath needs restoration.

The Other Side

Mayoru00a0speaks
Speaking to MiD DAY about the two oldest flyovers - at Kemp's Corner and Princess Street, in the city under BMC's jurisdiction, Mayor Shraddha Jadhav said, "For us the safety of the people is foremost.u00a0 So our Roads, Bridges and Traffic department visits the flyovers and bridges that fall under our jurisdiction to undertake maintenance and repairs."

When MiD DAY told her about the crumbling concrete and water leakage problems, Jadhav said, "As it has been brought to my notice, I will immediately instruct the department concerned to address the problem at the earliest.'

Railway speaks
About the state of bridges at Elphinstone and Khar Subway, Chief PRO of Western Railway, Sharat Chandrayan, said, "At regular intervals, the inspection of various old bridges and subways is carried out and the same has been done for Elphinstone Bridge. At Khar subway, we have carried out plastering work and fitted it lights."
Officials said that repairs of various subways on the Western Railway line are in progress.
As the bridge has become old, WR plans to build a cable-stayed bridge at a cost Rs 14 crore after demolishing the existing Elphinstone Bridge.

Number Game

1913
The year Elphinstone Overbridge, also known as Karol Bridge, was constructed

56
The number of bridges in the city that need repairs, according to the STAC report

120 m
The length of Princess Street flyover, Marine Drive