Mumbai Bridge Collapse: Why BMC-operated footover bridge is referred as 'Kasab Bridge'?
In a horrifying incident, a portion of a BMC operated foot overbridge near CST railway station on Thursday evening and claimed the lives of 6 persons and leaving 36 injured. The incident took place near The Times of India building and the Anjuman Islam College, near CST railway station during wee hours at around 7:35 pm. Notably, the foot overbridge earlier came in the news after 26/11 terror attacks as it was used by terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Ismail Khan.
How it was referred to as Kasab Bridge?
After the 26/11 attack, the foot overbridge has been referred to as ‘Kasab Bridge’ by the local public. The CST foot overbridge, built in 1984, was used by the two terrorists--Ajmal Kasab and Ismail Khan-- armed with AK-47 rifles who opened fired at people at passenger hall of the CST terminus.
The terrorists used the foot overbridge to reach the adjoining Cama Hospital. When a Mumbai’s photojournalist Sebastian D'Souza photographed Ajmal Kasab clicked the picture of Kasab and his partner Ismail. That picture of Kasan later helped in his conviction. After the 26/11 attack, the bridge used to refer to as ‘Kasab Bridge.’
FIR in foot overbridge collapse incident:
The CST foot overbridge was part of a safety audit ordered after a portion of the bridge collapsed due to heavy rain in Andheri last year.
An FIR has been filed in connection with Mumbai bridge collapse, against concerned officials of Central Railway and BMC officials at the Azad Maidan Police Station under section 304A (Causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has also promised or a high-level inquiry and promised strict action.
First published: 15 March 2019, 16:10 IST