The Bombay High Court on Thursday lashed out at Western and Central Railways, while hearing a 2006 petition that had ordered the railways to widen a foot over bridge to ensure smooth passenger movement.
Lashing out at the railways for failing to deliver, a division bench comprising Justice Naresh Patil and Justice G S Kulkarni said, “Railways are important for Mumbai, but is Mumbai important for Railways?”
The bench also directed the railways to not argue with the BMC over funds or over who will maintain the bridges. “Repairing the old bridges should be given priority and work should not be delayed because the BMC has not paid its share of funds,” the bench added.
Justice Patil said, “Carry out a structural audit of all the railway bridges, and ensure safety of railway passengers.”
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh appearing for the Union Government said a meeting of senior officials was held in which aspects such as safety of women passengers, clearing of garbage along the tracks, maintenance of bridges were discussed.
He said, “We (railways) are taking all steps to ensure a safe travel to passengers.”
He added that the Union Railway Minister, Piyush Goyal has also travelled in the trains and is well aware of the issues faced.
The bench though was not very convinced about the arguments made by Singh and said, “If you say Mumbai suburban railways are the lifeline, then why don’t you take care of it.”
Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond who appeared for petitioner Swati Trivedi, informed the court that by an order of 2006, the High Court had directed the railways to widen the bridge. Similar directives had been issued to widen the central bridge at Dadar railway station, which connects the Central and Western Line. The railway had then claimed that a tender has been issued and work of widening would be completed within a year. Still nothing has been done.
To which the bench said “It is about time that the railways has a special planning body/corporation for suburban railway network. So that ‘Vikas’ of Mumbai railways can be done in a proper manner.” Singh informed the court that a report on the steps taken by railways on various aspects would be submitted before the court on the next date of hearing. Accordingly, the bench posted the matter for further on August 7.
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