The closure for repairs of the road over-bridge at Versova creek, connecting Kashimira and Naigaon on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway, will affect outbound traffic. Travellers heading to Vasai and Virar once the Ganapati festivities come to a close on September 15 will be the worst hit.
The road is often used by inter-State commuters and so traffic from the city to Gujarat is expected to be affected. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway is choc-a-bloc on Fridays and Saturdays as Mumbaikars leave the city for weekend getaways.
Crack in girderThane Collector Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar said the National Highways Authority of India had sought the closure of the over-bridge for repair work. He said, “The bridge will remain shut from September 15 for a period of three to four months.” The NHAI had made the request after a horizontal pillar or girder of the two-lane bridge developed a crack.
Mahesh Patil, Superintendent of Police, Thane Rural, said the authorities had kept the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi festivities in mind while deciding to close the road to traffic. Mr. Patil said, “For now only light motor vehicle are allowed to ply. That too within a speed limit of 20 kmph.” After September 15 traffic will be diverted to Thane city. “Commuters can then use the Manor-Wada Bhiwandi Road,” he said.
The over-bridge was earlier closed down for a months in 2014 when a 48.5-metre-long tensile girder had to be replaced.
The author is a freelance journalist
