More inspections, more lip service

Despite BMC's assurance of expediting repairs 2 days ago, work is yet to begin on Kurla bridge, which threatens 400 young lives

More inspections, more lip service

Despite BMC's assurance of expediting repairs 2 days ago, work is yet to begin on Kurla bridge, which threatens 400 young lives

Two days after the BMC promised that work would begin on the rickety bridge near Anik Nagar bus depot, which poses a threat to the lives of more than 400 school children, the only work that the site has seen is multiple inspections and more lip service.

Goaded by a MiD DAY article on the issue ('Is BMC waiting for kids to die?'), BMC'su00a0 L Ward Officer, Ranjeet Dhakne, had visited the site of the bridge over the Kurla creek for an inspection on Saturday.
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He had promised to get the bridge repaired in a few days and had noted, "We will not wait for the monsoon to end as far as this bridge is concerned. The threat it poses to the people using it has been recognised."

But Dhakne said yesterday , "Since the bridge was made by MHADA, it is better that they repair it. Inspection needs to be carried out properly to decide the cranes need to be placed and how the work should be done. The bridge has been shut down as of now."

Meanwhile, the bridge witnessed a few more inspections. BMC officials came to the site for 15 minutes and left saying the work would be done soon. Water department officials were also there for an inspection of the pipelines.

Arvind Ranade, a water department official, said, "We heard about the bridge collapse and came to check on the pipes.

The repair has to be done soon, otherwise the pressure exerted by the broken bridge on the water pipes will cause them to rupture."

Helpless residents were left with no choice but to remove the barricades put up by the BMC and go on risking their lives and those of their children, who go to schol on the other side of the bridge.

Asha Tupare (55) a resident said, "On Sunday evening, residents removed the barricades as the children had to go to school to give exams.
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The other route (via Priyadarshini) is too long and the kids will have to leave home at 5.30 am to make it to school at 7 o'clock.

Besides, many kids have been bitten by dogs on that route"

Summing up the resentment, Sushila Bhisher said, "The politicians only come for votes. We are fed up of the officials coming to check the bridge."

The Other Side
A spokesperson from MHADA said, "MHADA is ready. We are waiting for an NOC from the BMC. MLA Chandrakant Handore has intervened and money from his MLA funds will be used."