The Bombay High Court on Friday said it would hear the plea on the overall conditions of foot overbridges (FOB) in the city on March 22.
A Division Bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social worker Pradeep Bhalekar through his advocate Nitin Satpute. He had filed the PIL on October 3, 2017, after the stampede at the Elphinstone Road overbridge on September 29, 2017, claimed over 20 lives.
Mr. Satpute moved the court on Friday for an urgent hearing after the FOB near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus collapsed, killing six and injuring over 31 on Thursday.
The PIL urged the court to issue directions to the authorities concerned to widen the width of all bridges, double the size of staircases, and construct at least three FOBs at every railway station. The PIL said all old and dilapidated structures, including railway bridges, should be demolished within three months.
The PIL demanded that all the erring officers responsible for the collapse of the bridges be booked under Section 304 II (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the India Penal Code.
It also wanted that after the officers are charged with penal action, they should be sacked.
It also urged to court to form a five-member committee to conduct a survey on the FOBs in the city and submit a report. Mr. Satpute sought directions to the State and the Centre to grant compensation of ₹15 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for those injured, in the event of a bridge collapse.
The PIL also sought a direction to remove all encroachments, hawkers, vendors and beggars on and below the bridges to give a better access to commuters.