Two years after 58 bridges declared old,BMC wants yet another survey

In 2007,BMCs Standing Technical Advisory Committee had made recommendations on the maintenance of 58 bridges in the city.

In 2007,BMCs Standing Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) had made recommendations on the maintenance of 58 bridges in the city. But even after the recent collapse of a pipeline underneath a bridge in Thane,the civic body wants to carry out a detailed investigation of the bridges before they start the repairs.

The STAC comprised retired bureaucrats and experts who had inspected all the 253 bridges in the city and identified 58 bridges- 22 in the island city,30 in eastern suburbs and six in western suburbs – that are dangerous and in need of repairs.

However,the civic body wants a fresh survey to reaffirm how many of these bridges are ‘actually’ dangerous.

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There is a need to carry a detailed investigation with several tests,including corrosion,to determine the strength of these bridges. We will appoint private groups to carry out this investigation and then decide on the bridges to be repaired or re-constructed, said chief engineer (roads),S V Joshi.

BMC officials say it may take around 3 months or more to appoint an expert group or private contractor who will then begin the investigation.

The 2007 report prepared by chairman STAC,N V Merani had slammed BMC for neglect and non-maintenance of bridges and had recommended a special programme for repairs and rehabilitation along with a systematic maintenance programme a quality control programme including pre-monsoon checks.

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