Mumbai, Dec. 4 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has stalled reconstruction of the foot overbridge (FOB) connecting the eastern side of Charni Road station with Dr Bhalerao Marg Sahitya Sangh in the west after Saifee Hospital raised objections. The proposed FOB outside gate number 5, Saifee Hospital said in a statement, would "obstruct the ingress and egress of ambulances, oxygen tankers, and other essential utility vehicles, thereby significantly hampering the hospital's operations." The more than a century-old FOB, known as Sahitya Sangh Mandir Kelewadi bridge, was demolished 5-6 years ago as it was declared dangerous. The BMC subsequently awarded a tender worth Rs.5.57 crore for reconstruction, and work started a few months ago, but was halted when it was 15% done. Uttam Shrote, chief engineer of BMC's bridges department, said the Bombay High Court had, on December 20, 2024, directed the BMC and the hospital to reach an understanding. "We presented four options and they agreed to the one in which the landing would be at gate number five. After 15% work was completed, they raised objections," Shrote said. Local residents said the sudden stoppage of work had compounded their daily difficulties. "Around 80% Girgaon residents have been using this bridge for their daily commute for decades," said Jeetendra Ghadge, a Girgaon resident and civic activist. "Even today, commuters do not have access to the fast train platform via the middle FOB. Senior citizens are forced to walk either to the north or south end, which is extremely inconvenient and frustrating. Crossing the road has led to many accidents," he said. Ghadge said he had filed a complaint with the BMC commissioner, seeking a probe into what he called a "sudden U-turn" by the bridges department....