The Bombay high court on Tuesday asked the additional solicitor general to assist the court in the dispute between the railways and the civic body over building a temporary bridge for pedestrians in p
The Bombay high court on Tuesday asked the additional solicitor general to assist the court in the dispute between the railways and the civic body over building a temporary bridge for pedestrians in place of Hancock bridge.
The division bench of Justice Shantanu Kemkar and Justice M.S. Karnik was hearing a PIL filed by social activist Kamlakar Shenoy through advocate Pradip Thorat, requesting the court to direct the railways and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to build temporary foot over bridge in place of Hancock Bridge.
During the hearing, BMC counsel Anil Sakhre informed the bench that construction of a temporary bridge was possible and the BMC was ready to bear the cost, provided the railways built it. He said building a permanent bridge would be the responsibility of the BMC.
On the other hand, the railways told the court that there are underground water pipes at the site of the proposed temporary bridge and hence it was not possible to erect it.
Following this the court advised them to take advice, if necessary, of a government approved independent body which could decide if building the temporary bridge is possible or not.
The bench then directed the additional solicitor general to remain present on Friday, the next date of hearing, to assist the court.
The bench also suggested that the railway shed its obduracy and make building of the bridge possible.
