Himalaya FOB collapse: Cops to quiz civic officials who worked on the bridge in 1982

In the aftermath of the Himalaya Bridge collapse, the Azad Maidan police is set to question civic officials who worked on the foot overbridge’s (FOB) construction in 1982. Civic officials have dug up documents dating back to this time – which include details of tenders given to contractors, engineers employed and follow-up work on the bridge – and handed them to the investigating body.

The roles of those involved will be probed, even though many of the officials may no longer be alive, said officials from the bridges department, which is also under the scanner.

“On Wednesday, we furnished documents pertaining to the FOB right from the time it was constructed. As per records, the FOB was constructed in two phases, in 1982 and 1992, by two separate contractors. The police have also asked for a copy of the proposal that was put before the civic standing committee at the time,” said a senior official from the bridges department.

The FOB near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) collapsed on March 14, killing six people and injuring 31 others. Earlier this week, the police arrested Neeraj Desai, owner of Professor DD Desai’s Associated Engineering Consultants and Analysts Pvt Ltd, the firm that audited 82 bridges, including Himalaya Bridge.

Marine Lines North FOB demolished

The C Ward staff on Thursday demolished the Marine Lines north FOB, following BMC chief Ajoy Mehta’s directive to ward officers that dilapidated bridges be razed in their respective areas. “The demolition work started at midnight and continued till 6am. The road was shut for some time but the debris was cleared by early morning,” said ward officer Vinayak Vispute.

The Marine Lines south FOB, located 50m away from the north FOB, will be demolished on Friday midnight. “It may take up to two days to demolish the south FOB,” Vispute said.