Olivant bridge is used as dumping ground

By: Aditya Anand
April 9th, 2007

Abuzar N Zakir points out the debris dumped by miscreants on Olivant Bridge, Mazagaon

The Olivant Bridge at Mazagaon made news recently when residents repainted the deteriorating 100-year-old structure after pooling in over a lakh of rupees. But within weeks of the bridge getting a sparkling new look, it is in news again.

This time, miscreants have started dumping concrete debris on the bridge, forcing policemen to guard the bridge, while also considering electronic surveillance.

Residents have requested the Byculla police to designate a patrol team during the night or allow the residents of Mazagaon to hire private 24-hour security for the bridge.

“We want a small police beat office in the centre of the bridge near the stairs, which will help maintain law and order and minimise nuisance on the bridge,” said Zakir.

Said senior PI of Byculla police station, Deepak Vishwasrao, “We have increased patrolling on the bridge and demands for a police picket on the bridge and electronic surveillance could also be considered.”

“It seems like Olivant Bridge that connects Mazagaon with Byculla likes to keep its date with filth and debris.

And that too after deteriorating for over 40 years,” said Abuzar N Zakir, who formed the ‘Concern for Mumbai’ group to give the bridge a new look.

Residents collected over Rs 1 lakh since BMC and the railways were delaying in carrying out the repairs themselves. “But just three weeks after the bridge got a new look, miscreants have now started dumping debris on the bridge, reducing it to its old look,” residents rued.

Bausaheb Kolesekar, assistant commissioner of BMC (E-ward) confessed that the BMC had received complaints.

“We have forwarded them to the Chief Engineer of BMC’s Bridge maintenance department. But since the bridge is also under the railways, we will have to take permission from them too,” he revealed.

Under the banner of Concern for Mumbai, residents have been holding monthly meetings and future plans include installing paver blocks on the bridge and fixing planters.