Navi Mumbai: The pedestrian bridge connecting Reliance Hospital and Koparkhairane Railway Station on the Thane-Belapur route is showing signs of severe deterioration. With roof sheets missing, the bridge has been covered with tarpaulin sheets, raising concerns about the effectiveness and cost of maintenance.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has been proactive in constructing pedestrian bridges along the Thane-Belapur road to ensure safe passage for pedestrians amidst increasing vehicle traffic. Despite this, maintenance and repair of these bridges have become an issue. Six pedestrian bridges have been constructed on this route, but many, including those in Rabale, Koparkhairane, Turbhe, and Airoli, suffer from inadequate upkeep. The bridges in Turbhe and Airoli are frequently occupied by hawkers, and the ones in Rabale and Koparkhairane are often closed for repairs.

The pedestrian bridge in question, located between Reliance Hospital and the Koparkhairane Railway Station, has had its roof sheets replaced with tarpaulin sheets. This temporary solution has sparked questions about where the funds allocated for maintenance and repair are going, especially given that contracts worth lakhs of rupees are awarded annually for such work. The contractors responsible for these repairs have been criticized for their lack of action.

In response, Deputy Engineer Pandharinath Chawde from the Thane-Belapur Marg of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation stated that the contract for the maintenance and repair of the pedestrian bridge is currently being tendered. The deadline for re-tendering is August 30, and once awarded, work on the bridge will commence immediately.