Mumbai railway bridges to be scrutinised

GRP chief calls for review of all railway bridges in Mumbai in wake of the Mahad bridge tragedy

After the collapse of the British era bridge over the Savitri river near Mahad in Raigad district, Additional Director General D Kanakaratnam of Government Railway Police (GRP), has asked for a review of all the railway bridges across the city. The review is also called for since some miscreants damaged railway bridges at the all entry and exit points on the Mumbai Suburban Railway, including long route trains.

“We held a meeting with Railway Protection Force (RPF) and GRP. I have asked them to inspect each and every railway bridge, especially the entry and exit bridges. We are doing an internal audit independently. We are not leaving any loopholes, as earlier miscreants have been sitting on the railway bridges. In the drive by GRP, we have kept a tight vigil. I have asked for the review in the wake of the two state transport buses falling into the river Savitri off the collapsed bridge. On August 7, 2015 heavy rains and waterlogging had washed away the material holding the tracks, as a result of which derailment took place of two long route trains, Kamayani and Janata Express,” said Kanakaratnam.

Citing the two tragedies in the meeting he presided over, he asked both GRP and RPF to inspect each and every railway bridge.

“The report will be submitted in eight days to the railway authorities of Mumbai Suburban. The inspection will be based on the possibility of miscreants causing damage to the railway bridges,” he said.

“The long distance trains have 4000 passengers onboard and protecting them is very important. We are also checking on the crossings and have asked for opinions from fishermen. There is tight patrolling on the bridges,” he said.

Based on the report, railways will be asked to repair and build the bridges and assistance will be provided by GRP and RPF personnel.

santoshee.mishra@goldensparrow.com

Originally published on The Golden Sparrow