After old bridge shut, second Kalwa bridge choked with traffic

THANE: A day after the authorities closed the 153-year-old Kalwa bridge for traffic; chaos reigned on the existing bridge during the peak hours. The bridge which is already prone to traffic jam was completely jammed during the peak hours.

The traf fic de par tment claimed that the traffic congestion on the bridge has increased beyond peak hours after the closure of the old bridge.

The Kalwa bridge has been shut since Wednesday midnight as a precautionary measure after the collapse of the Mahad bridge.

The bridge was used by autorickshaws and bikes and several times four-wheelers took the bridge in case of congestion on the new bridge.

Sandeep Palave, deputy commissioner of traffic, said, “After the old Kalwa bridge shut, a huge overload of vehicles was seen at the second Kalwa bridge. The jam was so huge that it started from Thane up to Vitawa subway and further along the Thane-Belapur Road. We experience traffic congestion on the bridge every day from 9.30am to 10.30am. On Thursday, the congestion was from 9am to 11.30am.”

This bridge is the only link between Thane and Kalwa. It connects to Kharegaon, Navi Mumbai and Thane.

“The congestion on the bridge led to traffic in Kharegaon, Manisha Nagar areas of Kalwa and Court Naka, Rabodi and Civil Hospital areas of Thane. There is no alternative route for the residents and thus the con- gestion will continue,” he added.

The residents said the potholes on the bridge add to the woes.

Shivaji Rajgude, 25, resident of Kalweshwar Nagar, said, “Today, most auto drivers refused to go to Thane from this bridge because if the traffic. When I convinced an auto driver, it took 15 minutes to reach from Kalwa Naka to the bridge which is only a minute away. It took me over 45 minutes to cross the stretch.”