After sitting on a proposal to survey and audit 58 ‘dangerous’ bridges in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will now outsource the task of studying all 262 bridges, citing lack of expertise. The proposal for the survey was lying in cold storage since 2007, when the state-appointed Standing Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) inspected flyovers, foot-over-bridges and road-over-bridges in the city and declared 58 bridges unsafe, of which 34 are under BMC’s jurisdiction. “Apart from visual inspection, the consultants will be asked to do a detailed technical structural audit of the bridges,” said S O Kori, Chief Engineer (Bridges). “Many of the bridges were constructed over 50 years ago and the BMC does not have the history and data on them. Once the consultants compile the details, work on restoring and improving the condition of bridges can be undertaken,” said Kori, adding that the bridges would be classified as good, bad and worst. “Repairs of the bridges categorised as worst will be undertaken on priority,” said Kori. A team of 12 consultants will be appointed to compile information on the foundation, structural design, year of construction, height, length, condition and load-bearing capacity of the bridges. The consultants will be asked to carry out tests, including ultrasonic pulse velocity tests, non-destructive tests, hammer tests, crack measurements, and carbonation. The survey is expected to cost over Rs 1 crore. “Study of bridges needs different expertise than road engineering. Most of the engineers in the bridges department are usually transferred from other departments, and they do not necessarily have the know-how,” said a senior civic official. sharvari.patwa@expressindia.com
