Delisle finally opens for pedestrians

MUMBAI: The opening of the concrete part of Delisle Bridge in Lower Parel for pedestrian movement that was scheduled for Friday morning was postponed due to incomplete groundwork. The bridge was opened for pedestrians on Friday evening. The decision to open the concrete part was taken after a joint inspection conducted on Thursday at the bridge, which is shut for vehicular traffic and pedestrians since Tuesday for re-construction, by western railway (WR) officials and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials.

Further, the BMC is erecting a bollard, a short post used to prevent traffic from entering an area, at the starting point of the bridge so that the vehicles can’t enter the road over bridge (ROB). Meanwhile, Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam visited the bridge on Friday. Mr Nirupam alleged that the WR and the BMC are responsible for the poor condition of the bridge. “Both the agencies should coordinate and construct the ROB, till then they should provide alternative ways to Mumbaikars,” said Mr Nirupam. The WR has also blocked the girder parts of the ROB for pedestrian by barricading.

The girder bridge spanning over railway tracks has been declared unsafe and thus no pedestrian movement can be permitted over the bridge.

Mr. Nirupam further said, “The FOB is sacking and if lakhs of pedestrians will continue to use the FOB, it may fall. Hence, I demand that the ROB should be opened partially for the pedestrian till the alternate ways are provided for east to west connectivity.”