Mumbai: Portion of under-construction bridge collapses in BKC, 14 hurt

MUMBAI: Fourteen labourers had a miraculous escape but sustained injuries after a steel span of an under-construction bridge of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension project collapsed at MTNL Junction at Bandra-Kurla Complex early on Friday.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), which is constructing the 3.8km SCLR extension flyover connecting LBS Marg to Western Express Highway to decongest traffic on the busy stretch, has ordered an inquiry into the collapse that took place around 4.30am.
Nearly 65% of the work on the Rs 415-crore flyover has been completed, said officials.
“A three-member committee, comprising experts from IIT and VJTI , will conduct an inquiry and submit its report within 15 days,” metropolitan commissioner S V R Srinivas said. He added that the internal audits undertaken by the MMRDA, through its staff and third- party, will also be examined.
The contractor for the J Kumar Infra Projects Ltd.
In April, the 65m long and 8m wide two-lane span weighing 250 MT, was laid above the MMRDA grounds near BKC-MTNL junction, parallel to the path of Mithi river. It has a sharp curved design.
“Prima facie it appears that there may have been some issue with the bearings,” said Srinivas. The bearings, fixed on the two opposite pillars above which the steel span is placed, take the load of the superstructures and substructure of the bridge. “The bridge tilted when work on pouring of concrete was in progress on the surface of the slab,” said Srinivas.
Fortunately, there were no pedestrians as the area was barricaded.
The 14 injured labourers were taken to V N Desai Hospital; their condition is stable, said doctors. They will be paid compensation as per the Labour Act, said officials.
Later in the day, guardian minister for suburban Mumbai Aaditya Thackeray tweeted: “The MMRDA has instituted a 15 day inquiry and those responsible for the negligence or any other reason for this section collapse, will not be spared.”
Work on the SCLR extension bridge had started in 2016 and was scheduled to be completed in 2019. However, absence of right of way and design issues as well as the Covid-induced lockdown had led to extension of deadline. The bridge is now scheduled to be opened for vehicular traffic in March 2022.