BMC stalling CR road overbridge plans: Minister

November 13, 2013

Prafulla Marpakwar, TNN |

MUMBAI: Union railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge has blamed the BMC for delaying the construction and expansion of road overbridges at Nahur and Vidyavihar railway stations.In identical letters sent to CM Prithviraj Chavan and senior Congress leader Charan Singh Sapra, Kharge stated that the construction had been pending “for want of a revised scheme of construction” from the civic bodymunicipal corporation of greater Mumbai.

On June 6, the BMC had approached Central Railway for expediting the construction of road overbridges at Vidyavihar and widening of a road overbridge at Nahur station across railway tracks on deposit terms.

The proposal has been agreed upon by the zonal railway and the chief administrative officer has been entrusted with executing the projects. The approach routes to the road overbridges will be constructed by the civic body. “A joint site feasibility by the BMC and railway officials showed the current construction scheme was not feasible. The civic body has been advised to submit revised drawings again. The BMC has agreed for the same, but till now it has not submitted any drawings,” Kharge wrote.

Alarmed by the plight of commuters, Sapra had personally called on Chavan and Kharge saying both the projects should be completed soonin a time bound period. He had also taken it up with civic chief Sitaram Kunte. “All along, we were told all the relevant plans have been submitted to Central Railway. But from Kharge’s communication, it appears that BMC officials have given us wrong information,” Sapra said.

Responding to Kharge, Chavan wrote to the railway minister stating that fresh directions will be given to the principal secretary (urban development) and civic chief to submit revised general agreement drawings of the RoBs to the railway administration.

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