Mumbai: Re-inspection may lead to further delay in repair work of bridges

Work of major and minor repairs of bridges, which was already sanctioned by the BMC, may be further delayed by a month due to a re-audit of bridges.

In addition, BMC will have to re-issue tenders if a great difference is found in the repair-work suggested by the latest audit. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday issued orders to structural auditing firms to re-inspect all bridges and review structural audits on bridges, which they had earlier audited.

The BMC had audited all 344 bridges in the city after the collapse of the footpath on Gokhale Bridge in Andheri. According to the structural report, 176 bridges need minor repair while 47 bridges need major repairing. Structural auditors suggested reconstruction of 14 bridges, of which, four bridges were already demolished by the BMC.

The civic body had called tenders for repair work and sanctioned repairs for over 110 bridges between December and March first week.

The repair work was supposed to start from this month but was stopped after the Himalaya Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at CST collapsed, killing six people and injuring 35. The inventory report of the said bridge states that it was in good condition.

If the auditor suggests changes in repair the work (minor or major), then the BMC will have to invite new tenders — a process which will take another six months.

“There is a possibility that auditors might suggest unnecessary major work to avoid responsibility, but we will check if the suggestions given in the next audit are too different than the previous ones. The work on bridges will start as soon as possible, without unnecessary re-tendering,” said a senior officer from the BMC. He added, “There shouldn’t be much difference in major works which were already suggested.”