Bridge of woes lies in limbo

Rs 50 crore Dahisar rail overbridge sees no sign of completion after residents forcedu00a0 the work to stop because of ill planning

The one-km long rail overbridge (ROB) constructed by the MMRDA, which was due for opening in October end, still lies blocked and empty.
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The new detour that was meant to reduce travel time and improve east-west connectivity, however, is still in limbo as residents claim that the bridge was not made keeping the interests of the people in mind.


When will it end? Residents still have to face traffic snarls at Dahisar because the work at the ROB is still not completed


The ROB, which took over three years to complete and cost about Rs 50crore, was built without keeping the area's traffic problems in mind, saida traffic official on condition of anonymity.

"MMRDA's ROB plan was thought of without considering the area's traffic flow.
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When they opened the bridge in October, they realised that the speeding cars, which exit from the bridge at Anand Nagar, are prone to accidents with other cars on the feeder road."

Confirming the same was Anand Shinde, head constable of Anand Nagar police station.

He said, "More than a month ago, the bridge was opened for a day. However, the residents protested since the ROB would cause problems to pedestrians. Since then, they have shut the bridge."

When MiD DAY contacted MMRDA Chief Engineer S R Nandargikar, he insisted that MMRDA has opened the bridge.

He dispelled rumours that MMRDA was planning a grand opening with netas in attendance. "The ROB is already open from our side. It has been shut by the traffic department."

However, DCP Nandakumar Choughle denied the same. "MMRDA approached us for approval. We found that the engineering designs could do with some suggestions from the traffic department.

Our department has made the necessary suggestions toNandargikar and we've helped them in our capacity. That is it."

This reporter went to the site of the ROB and found that the site was under construction and was laying traffic signals.
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The contractor assigned by MMRDA for overseeing the work added that they were working on the traffic signals.

"These traffic signals will help the residents of NL Complex. Our men will finish the work by Sunday. I don't know anything else," said MP Sharma, the contractor.

However, Nandargikar further denied that there was any construction work being done. He said, "The ROB work is over.

There is no traffic signal over there. Whatever work there is, is to be done by the BMC. All work is over. The ROB is open."