The Ram Mandir bridge on SV road in the western suburbs across the nullah whose surface was washed out following the torrential rains of July 17-18 midnight this year (also the day when two landslides were reported in Mumbai at Vikhroli, Mahul) has been once again started for vehicular movement today.
BMC officials said that after July’s incessant rains washed away the asphalt surface and exposed the concrete slab the same had to be repaired. Chief engineer bridges Satish Thosar said, “A concrete slab which was cast on site has been laid over the stretch. Simultaneously works are ongoing for increasing the width of the entire stretch. Currently only light motor vehicles are being allowed to use it.”
Locals said that the suspension of the bridge was causing traffic jams in the locality as alternate access was single lane road and a detour of almost two kilometers.
The bridge was a crucial connector especially for entry and exit into Goregaon and also for motorists from Lokandwala, Oshiwara wanting to head northbound towards Malad, Kandivali. Local corporator Sandeep Patel from the BJP said, “The bridge remaining shut was hampering traffic movement for the past many months. This was also putting a lot of load on the Veer Savarkar flyover at Goregaon West as vehicles would have to use the same, wasting 20-15 minutes of time. While the bridge was not safe to use , there was also a need to open it up sooner.”
Goregaon corporator Deepak Thakur said that they had to keep following up with the authorities for opening up of the bridge. “We had joint meetings with the authorities to ensure that the bridge was opened up as quickly as possible,” said Thakur. The Oshiwara bridge is located at the junction of S V Road and Ram Mandir, connecting Mrinaltai Gore Flyover for east-to-west travel.
Dhaval Shah of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association said that around a 100 metres stretch was washed out. “It is good that the bridge has been restored today finally for vehicular access as the same causing massive traffic jams in the area owing to the alternate access being only a single lane road and detour of almost two kms,” said Shah.
BMC also said that repairs to the Oshiwara nullah bridge also along the same route will be now shortly taken up.
Surjitt Sahani
