Kalina-Kurla Bridge partially collapses

About a fortnight ago we had carried a lead story on 'Widening of bridge over Mithi river moving at snail pace'.Despite, the local corporator Alice Therattil regularly following up with BMC on the lethargic behaviour in the speedy work of widening of the Kalina-Kurla Bridge, the work has hardly progressed. Also, MP Priya Dutt and MLA Kripashankar intervened in the matter  but the work has not progressed an inch. Despite, a  tender being floated in 2006 and a contractor alloted the job it is astonishing to note that he has hardly done any work of widening the bridge during the past five years. Also, as per the tender the work had to be completed by September, 2010 and the term of the tender too has expired. It was last week a minor mishap took place on the bridge and blocks of the bridge began cracking. However, while speaking to Johnson Therattil he clarified with Santacruz Patrika and said, " It was last week along with corporator Alice Therattil we had a meeting with Mahanagar Palika officials which included Dy. Chief Engineer Bridges A.P.Pawar, Exec. Engineer  R.B.Tare. In the meeting it was  discussed about the completion of work by April 2011 since the bridge started partially collapsing on the sides as the traffic load is very heavy and the bridge is very old.
"Further, Therattil emphasised," As the condition of the bridge is worsening day by day we had taken up the matter with Jt. Commissioner (Traffic) to divert the traffic through CST Road instead of Kalina Kurla Road so that the widening work could be completed speedily." However, it is strange to note that Sr Inspector (Traffic) has not been permitting the diversion of traffic through   CST  Road despite consent received from Jt Commissioner of Police (Traffic)," clarifies Therattil. Finally,  after the bridge having collapsed partially the vehicular traffic has been diverted to CST Road and the widening of the bridge has begun.
However, ex-coroprator of the ward Mohamed Rafiq Sheikh while speaking to Santacruz Patrika had another version and clarified,"It was in 2006 I had raised the matter of widening of the bridge in Ward Committee meeting and got a tender passed and work sanctioned to a contractor. This is the only bridge of BMC wherein two vehicles cannot pass at a time. Later it was in 2009 before the Assembly elections another inauguration ceremony was performed for the commencement of work in the prersent of distinguished guests. Despite, the work of the widening of the bridge has not progressed and till date not a single concrete beam has been installed." Further Rafiq added, "Even during the Budget session of BMC I had delivered a speech in the House regarding the widening of the bridge and the likelihood of mishaps. But, no progress has taken place," clarified Rafiq. Finally, if the work is not completed we will stage an  'Andolan' in the interest of public cause stated Rafiq. "Further, I have demanded action against the contractor and asked the BMC to blacklist such contractors. It is because of rampant orruption in the BMC  that Engineers hinder the smooth functioning of  projects and the public are the ones to suffer," emphasised the disgusted Rafiq.
Finally, with almost five years passed since the sanction of tender it is surprising that the contractor has not been able to construct a single pilar. With time running out and the bridge getting weaker by the day it would not be far away when the bridge collapses. Now, with the work having started, lets hope there are no further bottlenecks to the smooth progress of the work.