2 Oct 1980 Byculla Bridge Collapse
A Bombay Urban Transport Project aided by the World Bank. The construction had already seen several delays. "Fortunately no one was injured, though a whole township of homeless people and hawkers live under the bridge"
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2 girders of Byculla flyover crash
By A Staff Reporter
BOMBAY, October 1.
A large portion of the flyover bridge under construction at Byculla, collapsed at 2.30 am. yesterday.
The work on the bridge has been something of a scandal, for the private contractors engaged by the municipal corporation have been at the job for over two years now. The cost, previously estimated at Rs. 42 lakhs, has gone up to over Rs. 50 lakhs, it is understood.
The construction of the bridge was undertaken as part of the Bombay urban transport project, aided by the World Bank.
Yesterday, two pre-stressed girders of the bridge, between Gloria Church and Palace Cinema, came down with a resounding crash. Fortunately, no one was injured, though a whole township of homeless people and hawkers live under the bridge.
Workers from nearby factories were returning home after the late-night shift, when the bridge collapsed. The work on the bridge has stretched on for an inordinately long time, and residents of the area have constantly complained to the authorities.
VEHICULAR TRAFFIC
The flyover bridge was to ease the congestion at Byculla, which has two vegetable markets, one fruit market, a cinema, a railway station, a police station, the local zoo, a church and school in its area. Handcart, trunks and cars delay considerably the movement of the B.E.S.T. bus traffic through Dr. Ambedkar Marg.
To make for a smoother flow of vehicular traffic the construction the flyover bridge was mooted. After work had stretched on for months, it was expected that the bridge would be completed by December this year. With the collapse of the girders, at least two more months would be required beyond December, a civic spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the free flow of traffic during peak hours in the area continues to be a virtual impossibility.
The municipal corporation authorities, as usual, are now crying over
"spilt milk'. A statement issued by the municipal commissioner, Mr. B. K. Chougule, claims that the "sudden collapse is a matter of serious concern to the corporation."
Mr. Chougule is stated to be contemplating announcing a high-level inquiry committee headed by Mr. R. T. Atre, secretary of the Maharashtra public works department who may take the assistance of such officers as he may deem fit."
The formal announcement of the committee will be made shortly, after the consent of the state government and Mr. Atre as well as other officers is obtained. "There will be no effort to shield any person who may be found guilty of negligence, misconduct or mischief," it adds.
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