Turns Out People Were Complaining About Pathetic Conditions Of Elphinstone Bridge Since 2009

Mumbai local trains are city’s lifeline. We all know that. But how many lives does this lifeline claim on a regular basis? The numbers are shocking. And, the situation got way out of control when at a stampede during a rush hour, more than 20 lives were lost leaving several severely injured.

The visuals are scary and the sight, in person, was scarier.

Changing names from #Elphinstone Station to #PrabhadeviStation gets votes but doesn't save lives. Building better bridges does @PiyushGoyal pic.twitter.com/OBgyCLl0hN

— Mohd Mairaj (@IamMohdMairaj) September 29, 2017

There was a huge ruckus on the bridge between the busy Parel and Elphinstone Road stations. And, at around 10.30 a.m. it was over-crowded (more than usual) because of the sudden rains. An NDTV report read,

1/Due to heavy rains, unfortunate incident of stampede like situation on NORTH FOOT OVER BRIDGE at Elphinstone Road at about 10.30 am pic.twitter.com/XXQc5U3ALS

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) September 29, 2017

“According to witnesses, four trains came at the same time and due to the rain, a few commuters slipped, which led to the tragedy. There were more than the usual people on the bridge at the time, waiting for the rain to end.”

Railway spokesperson Anil Saxena told NDTV,

15 dead, 30 injured in stampede outside Mumbai’s #Elphinstone Station near Parel https://t.co/FFLlFhXA5X

Updates: https://t.co/ySQrp065mM pic.twitter.com/nDMxQChe4B

— NDTV (@ndtv) September 29, 2017

“Many were waiting in the rain. There were too many people in a cramped space. When people were trying to rush to their trains, the stampede happened.”

It’s also alleged that a short-circuit with a loud sound near the bridge was the reason for people to panic and they started running around.

The horrifying episode has created a social uproar. People had been complaining about the pathetic conditions of the Elphinstone Road since ages.

People were complaining about it for so long but only dead bodies can make government do its job. That too post disaster! pic.twitter.com/JAwVENVJVN

— V (@stfu_veer) September 29, 2017

This one is from July, last year.

@WesternRly urgent action required. Railway bridge at Elphinstone Station, Mumbai is damaged. @sureshpprabhu pic.twitter.com/2v2nZhm3g4

— Shubhankar Jadhav (@JShubhankar) July 13, 2016

This is what pre-rush in Parel looks like. And, this is Feb’s tweet.

Pre-rush hour Parel station. The only staircase which people use to exit and enter the station. A major accident is waiting to happen. pic.twitter.com/FWMrTboh4a

— MANJUL (@MANJULtoons) February 1, 2017

The incident that was waiting to happen, has happened.

The state government and the railway government will be giving ₹5 lakh each to the families of the people who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident.

So many warnings but the authorities paid no heed to it. It was due to poor infrastructure that so many lives were claimed. People are asking for Piyush Goyal’s resignation and for the corporation to build better bridges.

When will the Government and the acting bodies do their jobs sincerely? Because, last time we checked the citizens of the nation have been paying taxes but the infrastructural benefits promised to them are not even satisfactory, leave alone good or exceptional (as promised).