The Bombay high court has directed the Centre to expedite the process of sanctioning technical assistance to the army to enable them set up a temporary foot overbridge near Sandhurst Road railway stat
The Bombay high court has directed the Centre to expedite the process of sanctioning technical assistance to the army to enable them set up a temporary foot overbridge near Sandhurst Road railway station. The court also asked railway authorities to set up barricades to prevent people from crossing railway tracks at all stations in Mumbai.
Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice Swapana Joshi were hearing a petition filed by activist Kamlakar Shenoy alleging that after demolition of the Hancock Bridge, the number of accidents in the area had increased. The petition said that adults and school children who resided there had no other option but to cross the track. The petitioner demanded a temporary foot-over-bridge in the area so that people could use it regularly.
Earlier, the court had directed BMC and the railways to seek the army’s help “by way of last resort” for construction of the foot-over-bridge at the site of the demolished Hancock Bridge near Sandhurst Road station. The court’s direction had come on the back of an inspection note submitted by superintending engineer, public works department, stating that it was not feasible to construct the temporary foot-over-bridge. The railways too had earlier informed the court that it could not construct a temporary bridge at the site.
On Wednesday, additional solicitor general Anil Singh informed the court that the army base in Mumbai did not have the necessary equipment and needed technical assistance to build the foot over-bridge.
For the same, they had to seek assistance and permission from the Union government. Therefore, the court directed the union government to expedite this process and give technical assistance as soon as possible.
Furthermore, railways told the court that it had barricaded the area where locals and train commuters crossed the tracks.
