Triple death revives plan for bridge at Vikhroli

“We have started talks with Central Railway officials and after discussing the costs will make provisions for funds in next year’s budget. We have a no-objection certificate from Central Railway and will start work at the earliest,” municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya said Wednesday.

The cost of the construction of an ROB has escalated three times over what was once estimated,Rs 13 crore from Rs 3 crore. Central Railway had given the BMC the go-ahead in 1997-98 and agreed to share half the cost. The project got delayed for local politics. “We are still ready to pay 50 per cent of the cost in spite of the escalation,” said Shriniwas Mudegrikar,chief spokesperson,Central Railway.

The plan was revived after three people were run over in a span of three hours Sunday,following which thousands of commuters,residents,and activists of various NGOs protested on the tracks.

Currently one foot overbridge is on the railway premises of the Vikhroli railway station,a stone’s throw from the level crossing. “We have been letting the public use our FOBs for a long time,on the condition they do not take the platform,” said Mudegrikar.