Mumbai BMC Accused Of Faking Slum Projects Worth Crores
Mumbai has initiated a significant move to address recent design shortcomings in its bridge reconstruction projects. Following public criticism over flaws in newly opened connectors, the city’s civic body has formed a dedicated team within its bridge department. This team is tasked with developing a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure SOP to outline clear guidelines for future bridge construction and design, ensuring a more streamlined and well-structured approach to urban infrastructure planning.
Recent bridge reconstructions in Mumbai, including the Carnac Bridge Vikhroli Bridge and the Gokhale Bridge, have drawn criticism. Specifically, the Gokhale Bridge faced backlash for its six meter elevation leading to a misalignment with the CD Barfiwala flyover, causing inconvenience and additional project costs. It was also criticized for its unusually narrow footpaths, measuring just one point five meters along the carriageway and one meter near the railway girder, sparking public safety concerns. Similarly, the Vikhroli Bridge became a chokepoint due to the absence of a central median and multiple speed breakers.
The upcoming SOP will outline detailed guidelines for key design elements. These include specifications for merging segments and landing points where bridges connect to major highways, ensuring optimum width for both carriageways and footpaths. With a focus on universal accessibility, the SOP will also define standards for pedestrian pathway design including stairs ramps and other features to accommodate differently abled citizens. Furthermore, it will set guidelines for optimal arm placement and smooth road integration to prevent criss cross traffic. While the civic body currently adheres to Indian Road Congress standards and outsources structural design to consultants, penalties have been imposed for failures in implementing approved designs.
This proactive step by Mumbai aims to prevent future design lapses and ensure higher quality infrastructure. By standardizing design and construction protocols, the civic body seeks to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and ensure universal accessibility across its expanding bridge network. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to robust urban planning.
