Army may miss Jan 31 deadline for completing Elphinstone, Currey Road FOBs

The Army was expected to finish building the new FOBs at Elphinstone, Curry Road & Ambivali stations by Jan 31 (Representational Image)

The Indian Army, which was roped in for ‘urgent’ construction of three foot-over bridges in the city following the Elphinstone stampede, may miss its January 31 deadline due to technical reasons.

Following the stampede, CM Devendra Fadnavis said the Army will construct three foot-over bridges, one each at Elphinstone Road, Currey Road, and Ambivli station. Work on the FOBs began on November 23 and was scheduled to complete by January 31.

However, Union railway minister Piyush Goyal on Monday acknowledged that while the Ambivli station FOB may be ready by month end, work on Elphinstone Road and Currey Road station FOBs may only finish by February 15 due to technical difficulties.

According to a railway official, the delay is neither the Army nor the Railways’ fault as the former has asked for more mega blocks to complete certain work, which the latter is unable to provide without majorly inconveniencing commuters.