Mumbai:
There are just four officials for the maintenance work of 95 overbridges in Mumbai and the Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh (WRMS) is not happy.
In the backdrop of the mishaps in Santacruz and Thane, the WRMS has dashed off a letter to Divisional Railway Manager complaining about inadequate staff responsible for the maintenance of the overbridges.
The organisation claims that there have been many mishaps in the past because of the non-maintenance of the bridges.
Ajay Singh, Divisonal Secretary, WRMS, said, "It is very difficult for just four officials to take care of 95 overbridges. These numbers were sanctioned years ago. Railways should assign more persons for the job."
Western Railway (WR) has 73 Foot OverBridges (FOB) and 22 Road Over Bridges (ROB). Central Railway has 89 FOBs and 76 ROBs.
"MMRDA is connecting their skywalks to Railway FOB at various locations between Churchgate and Virar adding more work for the post," added Singh.
Singh also complained about many instances of unstable overbridges. "Often, when trains zoom down below, the bridges shake. And these bridges are not very old," he added.
Amber Mahajan, who regularly commutes between Borivli and Elphinstone Road said, "Often, when I am standing on the overbridge and trains pass from below, the bridge actually shakes. I feel scared. There are several places wherein the bridges are in dire need of repairs. The Railways don't seem to pay any attention towards them."
However, railway authorities do not agree with them. Sharat Chandrayan, Chief Public Relations Officer, WR, said, "Two officers each are specially assigned to monitor the FOB and ROB.
We have sufficient staff to look after the maintenance of the bridges. Also many private parties are coming forward to help with the maintenance work in exchange of ad space."
According to the railway officials, the railway bridges are proper but BMC bridges need extra maintenance.