New Elphinstone bridge turns anti-social haven

Mumbai: Commuters are enraged that the Elphinstone Road foot over-bridge the Army built and opened to public barely two months back, has become a haven of anti-social elements.

On a visit to the bridge on Thursday, The Asian Age found that the structure, constructed after a stampede on the old bridge took 23 lives in September last year, has become a shabby haunt of all kinds of anti-social elements.

The commuters had to pick their way through garbage strewn around and the anti-social elements sitting around on sleeping sprawled out.

The structure was all soiled from filth and spittle of paan users. Flower vendors and a few commuters there said that the authorities should install security cameras to monitor the bridge and keep anti-social elements at bay. A flower vendor, who sought anonymity, claimed that the bridge had not been cleaned since its inauguration in February.

When contacted by The Asian Age on Friday, Western Railway divisional manager Mukul Jain ordered remedial action. The Asian Age found workers were sweeping the bridge about 90 minutes after Mr Jain’s assurance.

Akshay Ambrale, 23, who travels from Ghatkopar to Patel for work in the mornings, said, “The Army has done great work by building this bridge. Now it is the duty of the Railway administration along with the people to keep it clean.”

Jatin Pawar, 27, a sales executive with a financial services company, said nobody had bothered to check the condition of the bridge after the inauguration. “No Railway Police Force personnel patrol the bridge. There are very few commuters on the bridge in the afternoon and the anti-social elements are a nuisance to women railway users,” Mr Pawar added.

A flower loader, Rakesh, said that flower loaders use the bridge every morning. “The drug addicts do not create any problem.”

A regular user, who did not want to be quoted, said, “CCTV should be installed on the bridge as there are chances of untoward incidents taking place.”

Mr Jain said that the Railways would do what is possible to keep its premises clean. “Commuters should also develop a civic sense,” he said.