Of the 43 bridges inspected by Prof DD Desai’s Associated Engineering Consultants and Analysts Pvt Ltd at Parel, Dadar etc, which come under Zone II, the firm had declared five to be in a good condition. It had also recommended major repairs to 10 and minor repairs to the rest.
The same firm had audited the foot overbridge (FOB) near CSMT, which collapsed on March 14, killing six and injuring 31. Built between 1984 and 1986, this FOB was part of the 39 allotted to Prof DD Desai’s firm at CSMT, Girgaum, Churchgate etc., which fall under Zone I, for structural audit in 2016. The final audit report was submitted to the Brihanmumbai Municial Corporation (BMC) in August 2018, in which the firm had categorised the FOB as ‘good’ and recommended ‘minor repairs’. The firm had placed a total of 12 under the ‘good’ category in this zone.
It has now come to light that the five bridges categorised as ‘good’ in Zone II are the flyover at Parel TT, Keshavsut flyover outside Dadar station (W), T H Katariya FOB in Matunga, an FOB on Acharya Donde Marg, Sewri, and a pedestrian subway near Rupam Cinema in Sion.
Matunga-based activist Nikhil Desai is sceptical about the ‘good’ status. “I am not sure if Keshavsut flyover is in a good condition. It may require some repairs. Nobody is going to believe this consultant now that six people have lost their lives. He has been sacked but questions also need to be raised about the BMC standing committee that is steeped in corruption, and allots contracts only to their favoured contractors. I think the municipal commissioner should have accepted moral responsibility of the FOB collapse at CSMT and resigned.”
Leader of Opposition and corporator from Sion-Koliwada Ravi Raja said, “The subway at Rupam seems to be alright. We have started work on an ROB at GTB Nagar also. Work order will be issued in 10 days or so.” The ROB Mr. Raja mentioned was categorised requiring minor repairs by the firm.
After the CSMT bridge collapse, the BMC has ordered a re-audit of all these bridges by a different firm. Besides, it has ordered a number of actions against Prof D D Desai’s Associated Engineering Consultants and Analysts Pvt Ltd. These include an FIR be filed against them, de-empanellment, blacklisting, all ongoing works be withdrawn, all payments be stopped, and money paid be recovered.
High rates
In 2016, when the BMC had invited tenders, five bidders had expressed interest for auditing bridges in the island city. The BMC had an estimated cost of ₹59 lakh. Of the five firms, DD Desai’s firm had quoted 7% above the estimate. But since the other firms had quoted even higher, this firm was shortlisted for ₹63 lakh. The standing committee passed the proposals in September 2016 without much discussion.
