The 50-year-old Versova bridge, built over the Bhayander creek on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway number 8, will be closed from today, September 23.
Owing to this, motorists from Ahmedabad and Mumbai will have to face traffic snarls.
Heavy vehicles including multi-axle, trucks buses and others heading towards Gujarat will have to take the Ghodbunder Road and proceed towards the Mumbra-Kharegaon toll plaza. The heavy vehicles on the bridge have been banned since Tuesday, September 22.
Heavy vehicles from Thane to Palghar via Mumbra-Kharegaon Tolnaka - Mankoli-Bhiwandi Wada-Manori, Mumbra-Kharegaon Tolnaka-Mankoli-Bhiwandi-River Naka-Ambadi-Vajreshwari-Ganeshpuri-Shirsat, Mumbra-Kharegaon Tolnaka-Manko -Vasai-Virar will go to the desired place through Chinchoti.
This notification shall not apply to vehicles of Revenue Department, Police Vehicles, Fire Brigade Vehicles, Ambulances and other essential service vehicles as permitted by the Department of Police, Taluka Magistrate and National Highways Authority of India, Surat.
Moreover, the two-lane Mumbai-bound bridge will remain operational for light vehicles during the period. If heavy and light vehicles pass through the same route towards Gujarat and Palghar, there is a possibility of traffic jams. The bridge is slated to reopen on 25 September.
According to NHAI figures, more than 50,000 vehicles use the 49-metre bridge built over the Versova creek daily.
The bridge was first repaired in May 2017 and periodically inspected for further wear and tear. In March 2020, the bridge had undergone repairs and was shut for vehicles for a few hours.