31 May,2021 08:53 PM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray | File Pic
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, on Monday, e-inaugurated one arm of the Rajnoli flyover and the Durgadi flyover in Bhiwandi-Kalyan road.
The MMRDA designed, constructed and completed balance work of a six lane bridge across Ulhas creek near Durgadi Fort on the Bhiwandi-Kalyan additional Road on NH-222. Durgadi Bridge, built by the state PWD, is located on NH-222 and was completed in 2002. This is meant to cross the Ulhas Creek and connect Bhiwandi-Kalyan-Shilphata Road.
As the existing bridge has two lanes, it could not endure the increasing vehicular traffic movement on the busy NH-222 and those flowing towards Shilphata. To overcome this situation, MMRDA proposed the construction of a new bridge with additional six lane configuration parallel to existing bridge so that a total eight lanes-bridge are available to motorists.
The administrative approval was granted by MMRDA Authority to extended MUIP work during its 134th meeting held on June 27, 2014 that included work on construction of six lane-bridge at Durgadi on NH-222 across Ulhas creek amounting to Rs 85 crore.
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After the commencement of work order, the original contractor carried out the preliminary survey and design of the bridge. Following which, the preliminary work started. However, as per the revised No Objection Certificate of Maharashtra Maritime Board, the length of the navigational span had to be increased and the proposed structural design of the bridge had to be changed. Therefore, an extension was sanctioned till May, 2019 to complete the work of the proposed parallel Durgadi Bridge. Although, the machinery and manpower required for the construction of the bridge could not be provided by the concerned contractor.
According to MMRDA, the contract of the concerned contractor was terminated by an October 25, 2018 letter due to non-improvement in the progress of work. About 20 per cent of the work was completed in the 32-month period till the date the contract was terminated. Subsequently, by implementing the e-tender system, MMRDA appointed M/s. T & T Ltd., a new contractor vide work order dated March 8, 2019 at accepted tender cost of Rs 101.70 crore.
"By overcoming the hurdles encountered due to heavy rains during the monsoon of 2019 and 2020 and lockdown due to spread of Covid-19, two lanes out of total 6 lanes are ready to be opened to vehicular traffic. The decongestion of road traffic on both side of Durgadi Bridge is expected, after the opening of this 2 lane Durgadi Bridge. The length of the bridge is 380.60 meters with approaches on Kalyan side of 170 meters and Kon side at 270 meters. The total length of this bridge is 820.60 meters and has a width of 25.30 meters," states an MMRDA press release.
