Mumbai: A day after the tragic foot-over bridge came down crashing outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) killing six citizens, the Bombay High Court on Friday agreed to hear a petition, highlighting the “shoddy” condition of bridges in Mumbai. The HC will take up the matter for hearing on March 22.
Reportedly, six citizens, including the three nurses, died and over 30 sustained serious injuries when the 35-year-old Himalaya bridge collapsed on Thursday night. The infamously known Kasab bridge, as per the civic authorities, was allegedly in a “good condition” and was not on the list of “dangerous structures”. Soon after the collapse, the officials of the civic body and railways indulged in a blame game.
Advocate Nitin Satpute in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighted the citizens’ plights before a bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre. The bench, having heard the Satpute’s contentions, agreed to hear the matter on March 22. Satpute had filed the PIL on behalf of his client and activist Sanjay Bhalerao, last year, after the tragic incident of Elphinstone Road station stampede, seeking criminal action against the railway authorities.
In the PIL, Satpute shed light on the dilapidated bridges in the city. “A case under offence punishing culpable homicide needs to be registered against the concerned railway officials. Also, a measure must be ensured for the safety of the commuters,” the PIL stated.
The PIL also sought action against illegal hawkers and encroachers on foot overbridges to reduce crowding. Now, Satpute will be highlighting Himalaya bridge collapse incident before the judges in the next hearing. Mentioning the CSMT bridge collapse, Satpute said, “The citizens have been perishing due to some or other tragic incidents.
Regarding this bridge, I had given a complaint last year, but no offence has been registered against culprits and responsible person.” “Police must initially register an FIR against the general manager, railways and the municipal commissioner and also against the police commissioner for offence of 302 under the Indian Penal Code,” the petitioner added.