The Bombay High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Railways for failing to construct a new foot overbridge after the Hancock bridge was demolished, and threatened to halt salary payments of the employees concerned.
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A Division Bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Kamlakar Shenoy after the 136-year-old bridge at Hancock and Carnac Road was pulled down. The PIL raises the issue of the danger to pedestrians, especially children, who have to cross the railway tracks in the absence of a bridge.
The court criticised the Railways for not cooperating with efforts to construct the bridge. Asking how they could demolish the bridge without any alternative arrangements, it said the BMC and Railways would be held responsible for any consequences.
“How can you be blind and deaf to the plight of the common man? You cannot just come to court and tell us that it is impossible to construct a new bridge at the spot … Your job is not just to identify the problem, it is also to come up with solutions,” the bench said.
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The court threatened to pass an order to halt salary payments to BMC and railway employees till they found a solution, and directed them to meet on November 22. “Imagine that it is your own child or your own parent who has to cross over the tracks to reach from one side to another. And then think of a solution,” it said.
In June, the Army had informed the court that a temporary bridge could be constructed provided the BMC and Railways provide a clear site that fit the requirements. Previously, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh had said that permission was being taken from the Central government for the defence authorities to provide technical assistance to the BMC.
— With PTI inputs