BJP worker's warning on Andheri bridge remained unheard by Indian Railways
BJP worker Vishal Tandel from Daman and Diu had tweeted pictures of the FOB pointing that it was in dilapidated condition.
In Short
- BJP worker's warning on Andheri bridge remaineded unheard by Indian Railways
- BJP worker Vishal Tandel from Daman and Diu had tweeted pictures of the FOB pointing that it was in dilapidated condition
- BJP worker's warning on Andheri bridge remained unheard by Indian Railways
Contrary to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal's claim that the foot overbridge (FOB) at the Gokhale Road, where part of it collapsed today on railway tracks leading to traffic blocks, was found safe in a structural audit in November, 2017, a BJP worker had warned about the dilapidated condition of the FOB two months ago.
It has come to light that the railway ministry did not pay attention to the warning.
Goyal visited Andheri Railway Station area and inspected the site where the part of the FOB collapsed on the railway tracks.
Later, he told reporters that he had ordered an inquiry into the incident.
The entire structure crumbled because it was a cantilever beam-supported structure. Last audit of the bridge was carried in November 2017. It was not in bad shape.
Interestingly, BJP worker Vishal Tandel from Daman and Diu had tweeted pictures of the FOB pointing that it was in dilapidated condition.
Respected @PiyushGoyal ji @indianrailway__ the ROB beneath is in dilapidated condition at andheri platform no 8, for information n action pl pic.twitter.com/51ZMClwOre Vishal Tandel (@VTDaman) September 5, 2017
Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam criticised Goyal over the ministry's casual approach when it comes to the safety of the commuters.
Andheri Railways FOB has collapsed. The part-time Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is in Mumbai today. Thats how recently repaired bridged has welcomed him.
Goyal informed that the railway ministry has roped in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to study 450 FOBs over next six months and conduct their structural audit.
Meanwhile, both the Western Railway and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have claimed that the partly collapsed bridge was not under their jurisdiction, "still, the Railway Safety Commissioner will conduct an inquiry into the incident," said Goyal.