Old Versova bridge to remain shut till Monday

Over 50,000 vehicles use the Versova bridge in Bhayander daily. Pic/Hanif Patel

The 50-year-old Versova bridge in Bhayander has been closed for vehicular traffic, as it is undergoing repair work. The bridge will remain shut till November 15, and only light motor vehicles will be allowed. Heavy vehicles will be diverted from Ghodbunder Road and Mumbra-Kharegaon toll plaza. More than 50,000 vehicles use the bridge daily.

This bridge was last repaired in May 2017. Later, it was shut in March 2020 for a few hours of repair work. The work has been getting postponed due to massive traffic jams crippling traffic in Thane and Mira-Bhayander. The Deputy Manager of the National Highway Authority Of India wrote a letter to the traffic police of Mira-Bhayander to close this bridge till Monday. After receiving this letter, traffic police shut down one lane of the bridge completely with barricades for heavy vehicles on Saturday.

Speaking with mid-day, DCP Vijaykant Sagar of Mira-Bhayander-Vasai-Virar Commissionarate said, "We deputed traffic police on the bridge to reduce the traffic. Cars and bikes will be allowed, but other big vehicles will be diverted. We advise people to avoid this route if they don't have an emergency."

The heavy vehicles have been diverted from the Mumbra-Kharegaon Toll Naka to Mankoli-Anjur Phata-Kharbaov-Kaman-Chinchoti. Other routes are Mumbra-Kharegaon Toll Naka to Mankoli-Vadpe, river Naka Bhiwandi-Ambadi-Kudus-Wada-Manor and Mumbra-Kharegaon Toll Naka to Mankoli-Vadpe, river Naka Bhiwandi-Ambadi-Vajreshvari-Ganeshpuri-Shirsad phata. Vehicles of the revenue department, police department, fire brigade, and ambulances will be allowed.