At a joint review meeting with the Mumbai Traffic Police on Tuesday, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar said tenders for the unfinished components must be floated on priority and rehabilitation issues should be resolved without delay
The BMC completed reconstruction in February 2020, and one arm of the bridge was opened to traffic in August 2022. Representational Pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed officials to complete the remaining works of the Hancock Bridge project in a planned and time-bound manner.
At a joint review meeting with the Mumbai Traffic Police on Tuesday, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar said tenders for the unfinished components must be floated on priority and rehabilitation issues should be resolved without delay.
The meeting, held in the presence of Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare, assessed the status of the flyover that connects Mazgaon and Dongri.
The original Hancock Bridge, located between Byculla and Sandhurst Road stations, was demolished by the Central Railway in January 2016 after being declared unsafe.
The BMC completed reconstruction in February 2020, and one arm of the bridge was opened to traffic in August 2022. Technical and legal hurdles, however, stalled the remaining work.
Bangar noted that construction within the railway boundary is complete, and approach roads on both sides are partially ready. On the eastern side, several commercial establishments fall within the new road alignment and will be affected. Bangar directed that their rehabilitation be fast-tracked by the concerned administrative department.
On the western side, MHADA’s cess buildings house tenants and commercial units whose resettlement remains pending. Several occupants have moved the high court, which has issued a stay order. Bangar asked BMC officials to seek assistance from senior legal experts to get the stay lifted and to pursue the case diligently.
The review meeting also discussed the project’s current progress, pending works, and rehabilitation of residents and shop owners. Senior officials, including Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Infrastructure) Girish Nikam, E-Ward Assistant Commissioner Rohit Trivedi, Chief Engineer (Bridges) Uttam Shrote and Deputy Chief Engineer (City) Rajesh Mulye, were present.
Bangar emphasised that all issues related to approach road width, required widening and remaining construction must be addressed quickly to provide relief to local residents. He urged departments to ensure that the project progresses at an accelerated pace.
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