Nahur Bridge Renovation WHEN? WHEN?? WHEN???
Mulund: The widening work of the Nahur Bridge over the Mulund-Goregaon link Road has been in the pipeline since the past several years. However, with the growing population and the increasing traffic flow over the bridge, the demand to widen the bridge is escalating.
Commuters travelling daily on this bridge are frustrated with long traffic jam and are waiting for the green signal for the widening of the bridge by the railway authorities. Interestingly, the widening work of the road on both the other ends of the bridge has been completed by BMC, but just the bridge work has been lying in a bind due to the cold war between BMC and the Railways!!
It may be noted the Goregaon- Mulund Link Road (GMLR) – connecting the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) is an ambitious project of the BMC. The BMC has even allotted a whopping Rs. 100cr to complete the project. The BMC informed that it has already started the first phase of the ambitious project from the allotted funds, but the obstacles from the railway authorities to allow permission to widen the Nahur Bridge are creating hurdles in the completion of the project.
Commuters are desperately awaiting the completion of GMLR. A commuter said, “If the railways give permission early them it would be an easy ride to commute to Goregaon for Mulundkars and commuters on the EEH.”
It may be remembered the Nahur Bridge was made for easy commute for residents living in the eastern part of Mulund, Bhandup and Kanjurmarg to connect with Mulund (W). With the passage of time, the traffic on this road multiplied several times. Hence, a proposal to widen the bridge was passed. Fortunately, both BMC and the Railway administration even sanctioned the funds but, alas, still there is no progress on revamping the bridge.
During each election, the political parties use the Nahur Bridge issue to win elections. During the last election, BJP conducted Bhoomi Poojan and entire 5 years are over and no work has been done!!! The key reason behind the delay is the differences between BMC and the Railways which, unfortunately, had resulted in the collapse of the CST FOB. Likewise, the Nahur Bridge is facing a similar tug-of-war in Mulund.
When Home Times spoke to BMC Assistant Commissioner, he said that from their side they are ready, but it is the Railways that has still not passed their tender!!! The cold war between BMC and Railways is proving arduous for the commuters and they are demanding to complete the widening work of Nahur Bridge at the earliest. Dinesh Gawde told Home Times, “Since the bridge is narrow, hence during peak hours there is a huge traffic jam. Motorists have to wait long hours in serpentine queues, facing both physical and mental agony. Hence, I urge both, Mulund’s leaders and the railway authorities, to seek an early solution and start the widening work soon.”
Home Times hopes better sense prevails and concerned authorities take a quick decision. Mulundkars, too, urge both BMC and Railways that they should also stop paying the dirty blame game over the Nahur Bridge issue and ensure that in their ugly blame game, the Nahur Bridge should not collapse and cause a CST FOB-like a tragedy!
