Consider barricading tracks all over Mumbai: HC to Rly

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Railways to consider barricading the railway tracks all over Mumbai to avoid the rising number of deaths due to crossing.

The direction came from a division bench presided over by Justice Vidyasagar Kanade and Justice Swapna Joshi while hearing a PIL highlighting the need of a temporary bridge near Mazgaon. The petition also emphasised the death of a ninth standard student while crossing the railway tracks near Mazgaon. It may be recalled that the MCGM had razed the 137-year-old Hancock Bridge earlier this year.

Suresh Kumar, the counsel appearing for Railways, informed the bench that the concerned authorities have barricaded the Hancock bridge spot and now people cannot cross the tracks.

Upon hearing this, the bench said, “The number of deaths in railway accidents is more due to crossing of tracks. You should consult your officers if it is possible to barricade the tracks all over Mumbai.”

Meanwhile, Anil Singh, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) appearing on behalf of the Indian Army, told the bench that the Headquarters in Mumbai do not have the required technical resources for construction of a temporary Foot Over Bridge (FOB). He also told the bench that the Army requires permission from the Union government for sanctioning of more technical resources. Earlier, the bench had directed the MCGM and Indian Railways to approach the Indian Army for the construction of a temporary bridge, until the permanent one is not constructed, as the army has the expertise and experience in constructing temporary bridges. After hearing Singh, the bench directed the Union government to expedite the process of sanctioning technical assistance to the Army in Mumbai so that the temporary FOB is constructed as early as possible.