HC asks BMC, WR engineeers to remain present in court in FOB case

Mumbai, Dec 21 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed Western Railway Divisional Engineer and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) Hydraulics Engineer to remain present in court during the next hearing of a Public Inteerest Litigation (PIL) seeking expansion of the existing foot-over bridge or an additional bridge at Bandra.

Division bench comprising Chief Justice Harjeet Singh Bedi and Justice V M Kanade observed that both the ageencies were trying to shirk from their responsibilities.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by two Bandra residents - Asha Nair and Swati Trivedi. The PIL alleged that the narrowness of the bridge was making it dangerous to use during peak hours, especially during the monsoons. Events of eve-teasing and accidents were also comoon there. In fact, the fear of a stampede discouraged people from using the said bridge. It was problematic not only for women but also for senior citizens.

Earlier, the Western Railway had submitted that they would construct a new bridge there, following which the court directed them to build the same within one year.

However, no steps were taken in this direction due to a dispute between WR and MCGM as the area where the WR planned a ticket window at the foot of the bridge falls under the jurisdiction of the MCGM.

UNI ARM KU AW2029