Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (CDS)

Mumbai, Jun 27: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) will receive a request from the Maharashtra government to conduct an audit of all the bridges constructed in the past five years by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The decision was announced in the state legislative council on Wednesday by the minister of state for urban development, Yogesh Sagar.

As per HT report, Sagar said, “The CAG audit will include the money spent on their (bridges) maintenance, structural audit and its process.” The Opposition had demanded an audit of the bridges in March after seven people were killed when the Himalaya foot overbridge (FoB) collapsed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).

The issue of the condition of the city’s bridges and civic infrastructure was raised by Dhananjay Munde, leader of the Opposition in the legislative council. Munde suggested that people have been killed in accidents, despite audits by firms. According to HT report, he said, “There is no guarantee that people who set out for work in the morning will return safely to their homes in the evening. Will the government carry out an audit through the CAG.”

Munde and Congress legislator Bhai Jagtap, as the Opposition sought fixing of responsibilities on the chief engineer and deputy municipal commissioner for the Himalaya bridge collapse, said that senior officials 'go scott free' in such cases as lower level engineers are indicated.

Jagtap, as per HT, said, “External audits have been carried out, but is it not the job of senior officials to check it?”

On the other hand, the government will construct new bridges using modern technology, said chief minister Devendra Fadnis. Fadnavis was quoted in HT, saying, “We have already started using modern techniques for inspection of bridges.” About the CSMT incident, he added, "There has been loss of lives and no one will be spared. Action will be initiated only after someone is found guilty of dereliction of duty.”