The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is perhaps waiting for a disaster to happen. The dilapidated skywalk in Dahisar (west) is continued to be used by people, and in the last three days, on two occasions, portions of a false ceiling fell. Fortunately, no one injured; however, consecutive incidents have raised safety concerns. The incidents were reported on Tuesday and Thursday.
It seems the authorities have not learned from the incident of portion of Gokhale bridge collapse in Andheri which resulted in the death of one person. The skywalk located in Dahisar (west) was shut by BMC in April 2017 citing its dilapidated condition but it was observed that several homeless people reside on it.
The skywalk was constructed by MMRDA and was handed over to BMC in 2015. In February, the civic bridge department had appointed a consultant to carry out a survey and ready an estimate for its repair.
The process is expected to take around three to four moths’ time. And the department recommended closure of the skywalk for pedestrians and diversion of traffic under it by barricading the structure.
Despite the bridge department’s suggestion local ward officials did not put any barricade. However, it was closed for public use. But residents allege that some miscreants continue to use the skywalk for wrong purposes. “We had requested the police to do regular patrolling and ensure nobody uses it, until repair work is carried out,” said an official from the ward office.
Sanjay Darade, chief engineer of development department of BMC, who has the additional charge of bridge department, said that he will enquire into the matter and take necessary steps.
WHITE ELEPHANT
- Residents claimed that the skywalk should be pulled down to prevent any fatal incident. “Since the skywalk is in poor state and no one is using it, the structure should be pulled down without wasting time,” said Alpesh Thakur, a resident of Dahisar.
