550 structures hindering work on Hancock and 20 other bridges in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Around 550 structures across Mumbai are proving to be hurdles for the reconstruction of 21 bridges, including the Britishera Hancock and Carnac bridges in south Mumbai. The structures range from shanties to defunct machinery.

Recently, in a meeting with all ward officials, the civic commissioner gave directions to ensure that rehabilitation of affected people is taken up at the earliest so that the structures can be removed and reconstruction of the bridges can proceed.
The maximum number of structures, 101, including 10 shanties, are in the way of the rail overbridge across Vidyavihar station, followed by 67 structures at Mangubhai Dattani Road in Borivli. A civic official said, “We have communicated to the railways that bridge reconstruction is getting delayed owing to these structures, but railway authorities are unwilling on rehabilitation. Later, it was decided that an inventory of the affected structures would be made at the civic ward level and rehabilitation done.”
Areason for the delay in the reconstruction of Hancock Bridge is that tenders were first invited in May 2016. During the process, the BMC awarded contracts for Hancock and three other bridges to two parties who were under police investigation in the road scam. An activist filed a PIL in Bombay high court, challenging the contracts on the grounds that the contractors were tainted.
In July 2016, the HC cancelled the contracts in "the larger public interest", prompting the BMC to re-invite tenders. This too had to be cancelled on technical grounds. Finally, in September 2017, a third tender was invited.