In a surprise visit on Tuesday, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Elphinstone Station more than a month after 23 people were killed in a stampede on the foot overbridge.
Speaking to reporters, Goyal said the Army has agreed to help in rebuilding the foot overbridge. The project will be completed by January 31, 2018, he added. Goyal also said two other foot overbridges in Mumbai have been identified for rebuilding. The work will be taken up on war footing and will be executed with military precision, he said.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commended the Army for extending help. After a discussion with Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Sitharaman said, the Army said they would be willing to take up the project as they said they have a role to play in nation building.
“Army has come and inspected and assessed where the bridge is going to be built, they will be there at every stage of the work. Probably first time asked Army to come in to build what could otherwise be called civil work, but Elphinstone tragedy was so big,” she said.
The bridge will be completed on Maharashtra formation, she added.
