Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the site of the crashed foot-overbridge (FOB) outside the CST station on Friday and sought a preliminary enquiry into the collapse that claimed six lives and injured over 30 persons.
“A detailed enquiry will follow and I have asked the municipal Commissioner for a preliminary enquiry and fix the responsibility by today evening itself,” the Chief Minister announced after visiting the St. George Hospital, where several injured have been admitted.
At the crash site in the morning, the CM directed the police and railway officials to ascertain the cause of collapse. He later moved to the GT hospital to interact with the injured. “It is a set back to the State machinery that such a crash has taken place despite an audit a few months back,” he said. Senior police officials accompanying the CM said he was briefed over the cause - likely being the weak welding work which gave away due to pressure at the structure joints. "We have appraised him of the what could have led to the collapse," a senior officer said.
Meanwhile, structural consultant D. Desais, Associated Engineering Consultants and Analysts private limited had declared the FOB to be in ‘good condition”. The FOB audit report shows the consultant has ruled out the other two options: bad condition (requiring minor repairs) and worst condition (requiring a deeper structural audit).
The FOB - the audit shows - was constructed in 1998 with a foundation depth of 2-4 metres. The sub structure was made of RCC circular piers while the super structure was of steel. The deign consultant was Stup Consultant Ltd.
