The Elphinstone bridge mishap in September is still etched in our minds. The extent of damage to life and property was irreversible. However, the Maharashtra Government has found a way to rebuild it quickly and effectively. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the Fadnavis government has looped in the military's engineering wing for the purpose, assuring that it would be ready for use by the end of February 2018.
According to a report by the Times of India, the Indian Army's engineering wing will design and build new foot overbridges at Elphinstone Road and two other train stations by January 31, 2018. Earlier today, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal visited the site of the incident to take stock of the improvement works in progress post-stampede.
Fadnavis, speaking to the media said, "After Elphinstone stampede incident, we had asked for help from armed forces and Defence Minister. She agreed to help us and three bridges will be constructed by 31 Jan."
Railway minister Piyush Goyal thanked Nirmala Sitharaman for the help on Twitter.
After unfortunate incident at Elphinstone Rd Station, a report was made for safety of commuters. Now action is being taken
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal)Armed Forces to help in constructing 3 FOBs at Elphinstone Rd, Currey Rd & Ambivali Stations. Work to be done by 31 Jan’18
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal)for coming to the aid of the Nation. Grateful to RM for immediately responding to our call for help
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal)मुंबई में रक्षामंत्री व CM के साथ निरीक्षण किया, सेना की मदद से 31/01/18 तक 3 FoB बनाये जायेंगे pic.twitter.com/rN9FseWsvn
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal)Service before Self: for helping ensure a safe Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/RibRUWnNYU
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal)However, the opposition party and the public reacted explosively, wondering what made the Army accept the proposal. For instance, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tweeted, "The army was to be a measure of last resort to be called upon in extreme emergency. Now it seems like it’s the 1st number on the speed dial."
The army was to be a measure of last resort to be called upon in extreme emergency. Now it seems like it’s the 1st number on the speed dial. https://t.co/9e9hJOgDTY
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah)The job is to train for war, not to be used for civilian works ji. Don’t divert defence resources to civilian jobs(1/2).
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder)If the tragedy is so big it requires the army, we'd better get something a lot bigger than the army for the tragedy of war. https://t.co/ZkpUKcqUlH
— Mitali Saran (@mitalisaran)bridge where stampede killed 23 to be built by Army by Jan 31. Bjp wale bas 🎀 katenge or 👏👏👏 bajanenge.
— Irshad Rajput (@Irajput16)Wake up gov officers and do some work for salary you are taking, army have lot of other things to handle
— Aniket Joshi (@Aniket19Joshi)Indian Army To Be Hired For Building Bridge? Soon They Will Be Hired For Giving Potholes free road?CM Fadnavis ??
— Niraj Bhatia (@bhatia_niraj23)Now Army will do the work of Railway Ministry. https://t.co/xrBKQQIhFU
— Saili Chavan (@SailiChavan)Incompetent Govt. gave clean chit to those responsible for negligence. Didnt take responsibility. Now dumping it on the Army! https://t.co/6YwpsQcaCL
— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon)So BIG?? Utter disgusting that army to be used for civil ( bridge) work & not a shameless minister resigned. Fooling the nation! https://t.co/Z9Mxt1DKnf
— hum_bolega (@hum_bolega)Wat is this new stunt of involving Army in building foot over bridge? This expertise not available with civilian organisations?
— V Gopalan (@TheGopalan)