BMC not responsible, says Mumbai Mayor after Andheri bridge collapse, passes buck on railways

Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Maheshwar on Tuesday passed the buck on Railways after a road over-bridge (ROB) collapsed on railway tracks in suburban Andheri.

The incident took place amid heavy rains in the city bringing local train services of the Western Railway to a halt. At least five people who were injured are being treated in Cooper hospital.

"It was railway's responsibility to check if the bridge was in good condition. BMC is nowhere responsible for the incident," he told reporters.

However, amid blame-game over the incident, local MLA Ameet Satam (BJP) said, "This is not the time to play politics. Let us now concentrate on resuming railway services and on the health of injured. After that, it needs to be checked if the structural stability of the bridge was done. If yes then what the report said."

Mumbai's Guardian Minister Vinod Tawde also spoke to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and requested to order an inquiry into the incident. 

The minister also said that it is unfortunate that mayor has passed the buck on railways. "We are planning to ensure that buses are provided in more numbers so that inconvenience is reduced."

He also said that since assembly session is in Nagpur the administration can fully concentrate on rescue relief n rehabilitation work.

He also ridiculed Congress criticism that local trains and stations are not safe.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the Mumbai police commissioner to ensure smooth traffic movement and asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to increase its bus service for the convenience of commuters.

"CM @Dev_Fadnavis spoke to @CPMumbaiPolice and BMC commissioner on #GokhaleBridgeCollapse incident. CM asked CP to ensure smooth traffic movement and also asked BMC commissioner to increase  frequency  of BEST buses for  convenience  of commuters. #MumbaiRains," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a tweet.

Several commuters faced a harrowing time as they were unable to reach their offices after the train services were stopped. Some local train services on the harbour corridor of the Central Railway were also affected, as a few trains of the Central Railways pass through the WR route.