Bridge mishap: Blame game rages as 1 more dies

The CR blamed the TMC for the mishap. “For this accident,the TMC was entirely responsible. They had a contract with RITES for supervision and safety and a private contractor for construction work,” spokesman S Mudgerikar told a news conference.

“Two months ago,Ved Prakash,the officer on special duty,had written a letter to the TMC that there is a crack in the first girder,it should be replaced immediately. He also wrote that since 2006,the CR has given 56 blocks to them for construction work. It also mentioned that in place of seeking any solution,the executive was putting pressure on the Railway through politicians.”

Mudgerikar said though the CR had declared 30 hours for rescue work,the work was completed in 24 hours. “The up and down fast lines were restored by 3.30 am. While the up slow line was restored by 8.50 am,the down slow line was restored by 11.45 am.”

CR sources claimed general manager BB Modgil had personally monitored the work.

Catch 22 for Railways
The railway is in a catch 22 as far as the Thane-Kopri bridge is concerned. After the toppling of one of the girders,questions are being raised about the stability of three other girders.

Even in case they are found to be unstable,only one girder that is resting on trussing could be removed,while nothing can be done about the other two without bringing the train traffic to standstill for a long period. The 43-metre-long girders,weighing 132 tonnes,can only be removed by cranes positioned on the tracks.

This could mean very long hours of mega block. Expediting the completion of the bridge appears to be only way out but with lodging of the first information report (FIR) against contractor Ajaipal Mangal and Company,the prospect of commencing the work appears bleak.