Indian Express 03.08.2010
Act against illegal structures, Rlys, BMC tell each other
Express News Service Tags : Act against illegal structures, mumbai Posted: Tue Aug 03 2010, 00:40 hrs
Mumbai: A day after cracks developed in a wall adjacent to the railway tracks between Sandhurst Road and Byculla stations, the Central Railway has asked the civic body to take action against the illegal structures.“We removed 10 metres of wall portion on Sunday because it could have collapsed any time but after inspection we have found that around 100 metres of wall has illegal encroachments next to it. In some cases, it was found that toilet blocks were built next to the same structure. With no proper drainage facility the water seeps into ground and this could weaken the structure again,” said Shriniwas Mudgerikar, chief spokesperson, CR.
“We have asked the BMC to remove these structures as this could create problem in the future.” The BMC instead has asked the railways to strengthen the wall. “Adjacent to the retaining wall, most structures belong to MHADA and they need to look into that. There is only one BMC property, which is the BMC chawl and is legal. The railways should strengthen the retaining wall as it has become weak with passing years “ said Y S Mahangade, Assistant Municipal Commissionner B Ward The WR has also asked the BMC to remove hawkers from the foot over bridges that run over the railway line. Last week, the railways had to suspend train operations after the railing of an FOB was dislodged.
