A Survey Of Foot-Over-Bridges Revealed Lack Of Regular Checks
A survey of foot-over-bridges at 13 stations along 32 kilometres between Thane and CSMT revealed lack of inspection deadlines and regular checks. With the majority of maintenance schedules showing April 2019 as the final inspection date, November 2019 as the next due date, situation points towards a lack of seriousness by the railways and raises passenger safety concerns. Earlier this year, IIT-B and Railways conducted a joint safety audit of all 445 road-over-bridges, FOBs on both the Central Railway and Western Railway lines to improve facilities and focus on commuter safety. Thereafter some bridges were demolished, and accountability boards were put on all FOBs along with the inspection schedule. All this was done after the CSMT bridge collapsed this year to gain public confidence and set accountability. The board mentions important parameters such as the condition of the bridges, the person-in-charge, the last inspection date and the due date for the next inspection. Out of the 19 stations between Thane and CSMT, a media agency visited the 13 busiest. It was found that at least eight FOB due dates at five stations had expired. While some stations have updated boards, some do not have boards. While the board of the CSMT mentions that the last inspection was done this month and the next is scheduled for December 2020 and certified as safe for public use, the inspection dates at the south-end bridge of the mosque station.
