Heavy vehicle drivers planning to use the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd flyover for its commute will have to wait for two more months as the work on the project hasn’t been completed yet. As per reports, authorities have prohibited the same due to height restrictions as a high-tension wire that runs overhead needs to be shifted. In order to do the same, the civic body has planned the construction of a pier at a different location.
Discussions are being held to expedite the project and complete the same in order to permit the commute of heavy vehicles, however, the concerned department is awaiting the permission to use 225 sq.m of land. Approval for the same needs to be sought from the collector, post which the work can begin.
A report regarding the matter was published in the Hindustan Times, which quoted Additional Municipal Commissioner, P Velarasu, who said, “We need to basically move the pylon that is carrying the wires away from the bridge, which will serve our purpose. We have requested the state government for permission to use the collector-owned land. It will be allotted to the BMC, and we will have to pay whatever charges are assessed for this.”
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Officials have confirmed that land will be received by the concerned authorities the civic body has decided to approve INR 60 lakhs for the same. A letter of communication has been received from the government on Friday, October 1, 2021. Once the process is completed, the department will begin the shifting work which is expected to be completed in two months.
Constructed at a cost of INR 713 crore, the 2.9km long Ghatkopar-Mankhurd flyover was inaugurated in the city on August 1, 2021, is expected to reduce the time taken to travel to and from Navi Mumbai and Ghatkopar. The project was expected to be completed in 2018, however, officials reported a delay of three years. Motorist have been using link road as an alternative; however, heavy traffic has been observed on the route, which increases the travel time for commuters. Moreover, the flyover also receives a traffic of heavy vehicles often visiting to and from the dumping ground. The implementation of the project has been announced keeping the safety aspects in mind.
Besides this, the flyover was closed in a month’s time after safety concerns were reported along with poor quality of roads. Leaders from the opposition parties have frequently questioned the work and the delays caused. A motorist lost his life due to an accident, a few days after the flyover was opened, however, the same was closed to ensure the surface of the flyover was made smoother. This time, BJP leader Prabhakar Shinde has once again questioned BMC’s decision to not allow heavy vehicles. The report quoted Prabhakar Shinde who said, “How did the administration not realise at the time of issuing the work order to the contractor or during the construction of the bridge that high-tension wires were running overhead which would hamper access to heavy vehicles, that are tall, such as a truck? The bridge was inaugurated by CM, and despite this, BMC did not undertake due diligence during its construction.”
Also Read: BMC reopens Ghatkopar-Mankhurd flyover; Bikers not allowed
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