Mumbai has become fragile
Mumbai has become Fragile
The recent advice given by IIT engineers to demolish Lower Parel Bridge speaks volume of situation.
All these bridges were constructed by Britishers and have surpassed their design age of 100 years.
The land mass of Mumbai has been in existence for long time. Prabhu Ramchandra when travelling from Ayodhya to Lanka passed Mumbai. “Banganaga” created by him. He has hit arrow to ground to create lake of sweet water.
Subsequently Portuguese came here. When marring off their princess they gave these islands to British Prince in dowry. Thereafter this region came under control of Britishers.
Britishers developed this as port. They also initiated process of land reclamation for joining all islands. In order to transport imported goods railway line was laid. This line was first laid from Mumbai to Thane. Later 2 lines were added one on harbour side and one on Western side.
Railway was laid right at middle of island and there was population staying on either side of railway line. Bridges were constructed over railway line to connect East to West and vice versa. Britishers also used innovative approach of providing platform right below the bridges. All these bridges were designed to traffic expected at that time. Invariably it is one lane for going and one for returning. Foot paths were required on either side for pedestrians to cross. There was use of metal in constructing these bridges. As all of us know Mumbai is coastal city and metal rusts faster here. British engineers had estimated life of 100 years based on weather projection, number of vehicles passing then. However now climate has changed. Temperature soars during summer and also rains have become’ heavy’ to ‘very heavy.’ The quantum of rain in given period has increased creating lot of flooding. This is affecting land mass on which bridge is supported.
All these factors have affected expected life of bridges.
It is not that all bridges in Mumbai were constructed by Britishers. Lot many bridges were made after independence. However sorry to mention here that expected life of these bridges even less than those constructed earlier. Recent incidence of Andheri ROB collapse is the example. This bridge was made over railway line. Subsequently adjacent passage was constructed for pedestrians to walk. This portion collapsed while pedestrians were walking on the same. While collapsing it came down heavily on overhead wire causing complete disruption of railway traffic.
Earlier also pedestrian bridge of Prabhadevi station collapsed due to heavy rush. Railway authorities immediately realized gravity of situation and another bridge was constructed in record time. This also paved way for survey of other pedestrian bridges and their reconstruction.
Similarly after Andheri bridge collapse technical committee was formed involving railway, BMC and IIT engineers. They are now surveying all bridges and finding many of them unfit. Such bridges are now closed for movement causing lot of inconvenience to public.
The question here is do we have to wait for something to collapse to know that there is something like “preventive maintenance”? Why Railways and Municipal Corporation do not have system in place to keep record of life of bridge and planned actions to reconstruct the same. The lack of communication between these organizations and also attitude to blame each other has brought us to this situation.
It seems audit of Andheri Bridge was done and it was certified ‘safe’. But then why did it collapse? Are we doing audit ‘nam ke waste’ ? Moment IIT engineers are inducted in committee things are coming to surface.
The fragile nature of Mumbai is not restricted to railway over bridges alone. There are British era buildings which are still used by Government and residents. Old Customs House, Electric House, Buildings at Ballard Pier, Buildings around horniman circle, Asiatic library, Reserve Bank, CSTM and Churchgate stations are all more than 100 years old. Even head quarter of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is sitting in British era building. In addition hospitals like GT, KEM, and JJ were constructed by Britishers. These buildings have wooden staircase, long ceilings, and domes and are constructed in stone. Railways have done structural audit and repair of these buildings. About others I am not sure.
Mumbai also has dams, pipe lines which were constructed by Britishers. There is Powai lake which used to be earlier used for potable water supply. Subsequently Tulsi ,Tansa ,Vaitarna were developed. All these dams have become old and if they give away like bridges gave away then it is big disaster in waiting.
There are 55 flyovers which were constructed in Mumbai at many signals. These were constructed about 15 years back. Mumbaikars are still paying toll at entry and exit point for these flyovers. However it is routine that these flyovers develop cracks and are closed for repairs.
The habitation of Mumbai started about 150 years back. People migrated here in search of employment and tenements were constructed for stay. Chawls were erected for mill workers, port workers etc. Town planning made plots in Dadar, Sion etc. and private owners developed the same. Some plots were on long lease and some of them on free hold basis. Landlords developed their property and rented out for additional income. After this came Rent Control Act which freezed all rents. Tenants were paying same rent for spacious houses for years together. It was impossible for land lord to maintain this and they just left these properties in diplated conditions. The cost of property zoomed and residents in these diplated buildings were unable to move to any other property of their own. Also they knew at back of their mind that one day they will become owners. The stakes were high as after getting ownership it was possible to earn crores and they were ready to take risk of staying in diplated conditions. This has made even resident buildings very fragile.
MHADA started charging repair cess for old buildings and repairs were carried out from funds generated. However it was far less than what is required. Then government took decision of granting additional FSI for olddiplated buildings so that surplus area can be sold and building reconstructed.
Similar thing was required for old bridges any buildings. After certain age say 70 years whether auditor suggests or otherwise these structures need to be reconstructed.
While our politicians are busy in changing old names with new names they need make provision in budget to change old structure to new structure.
Datt Udas
Greatly written and insightful!
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