Khaali peely SoBo flyover

The Kemps Corner bridge on Pedder Road, also called Gopalrao Deshmukh Road, is in a bad shape. The BMC claims that it has undertaken major repairs, but this correspondent did not find any work in progress during his two visits to the place in a span of two weeks.

The Kemps Corner bridge is India’s first flyover, and was opened to traffic in 1965. Ever since its opening, the bridge has never undergone major repairs. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was a popular location for film shoots.

After the Himalaya foot over bridge located near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) crashed in March 2019, the bridges department of the BMC conducted a survey to test the safety of all bridges in the city.

In September 2020, work orders were given to repair the Kemps Corner bridge at a cost of Rs 1.44 crore.

A traffic police constable posted at Kemps Corner said, “The plasters have been falling off at regular intervals and we have informed the officials of D ward of the BMC about it.

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We can feel the bridge’s vibrations. This bridge was to be demolished and a long viaduct constructed. But this plan was postponed due to opposition from local residents.’’

Dr Altaf Patel, a senior doctor who lives in Pedder Road area, said, “It is a very old flyover. I have never seen structural repairs carried out here. I have been seeing this flyover since my school days in 1960s. The BMC must maintain it before something untoward happens.’’

Former Member of Parliament, Milind Deora, said, “I have been receiving complaints repeatedly, and told the authorities about it. Hope the BMC maintains it well.’’

Former corporator Pramod Mandrekar said, “This bridge is in a really bad shape. The part of the flyover near Crossword is very bad. The 9mm iron rods have rusted and now measure 6 mm.’’ Additional commissioner of BMC (projects) P Velarasu said, “Major repairs to Kemps Corner bridge are in progress. Chipping off the external plaster, wire mesh and plaster will be complete within 10 days. Repairs to the expansion joint and replacements of MS plates, epoxy grouting, epoxy mortar and polymer mortar to structural members, milling on deck and resurfacing and repairs to kerb will be done.”

Velarasu said repairs to approach retaining wall on east side by providing additional reinforcement and micro-concreting will be carried out and the flyover will have epoxy paint. “We will try to complete the work by May 31,” he said.

The assistant commissioner D Ward has taken work of beautification beneath flyover such as landscaping, vertical gardening, providing sculpture in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity through Jindal Steel works.