Even after seven months of the bridge being opened to the public, the BMC is yet to install an escalator to the Himalaya foot overbridge (FOB) outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The initial tender was floated without provision for it. So, the addition of escalators has raised the project cost by Rs 1.25 crore.
FOB marred with several delays
The bridge collapsed in March 2019, killing seven people and injuring more than 30. After several hurdles such as change in design, no objection certificate required from the traffic police and the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee, the proposal moved further. However, the work order was issued for Rs 5.75 crore in May 2021 without the option of an escalator. The work was further delayed during the Covid-19 pandemic and due to underground utilities.
'Work on escalator is underway'
The bridge was reconstructed and finally opened to the public after four years on March 30, 2023. “It was later decided to put an escalator on the internal road on the opposite side of the railway station. As the staircase to access the bridge was ready, it was opened to the public in March without an escalator. The additional work on the escalators and increase in width of the bridge from 4.5 to 6 m has also increased the cost. The work on the escalator is underway,” said a civic official.
FOB used by about 50,000 commuters daily
The bridge has two exits on the opposite side of the railway station. The FOB is used by on an average 50,000 commuters to reach CSMT station daily. The escalator on the Himalaya bridge will be on the opposite side of CSMT railway station.
The BMC constructed this bridge in 1988, which was mainly used by railway commuters. In 2016, the civic body beautified the bridge by coloring and replacing its tiles. After a structural audit, the auditor recommended minor repairs to the bridge. Unfortunately, the bridge collapsed on March 14, 2019. The three civic officials, including the chief engineer of the bridge department and the structural auditor were arrested for the mishap.
