Stop taking toll till Versova bridge repair ends: MLA

BHAYANDAR: Stung by the traffic nightmare, coupled by the mismanagement, activists of the Shramjeevi Sanghatna led by former legislator Vivek Pandit launched an agitation on Monday demanding exemption of toll from motorists till the completion of ongoing repair and maintenance work on the Versova Creek bridge running between Bhayandar and Vasai on the MumbaiAhemdabad National Highway. After rounds of extended delays, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has finally initiated repair works on the Mumbai-bound bridge since December 8. "Thanks to the utter mismanagement of NHAI and traffic department, chaos rules the highway as fuel worth lakhs of rupees is being wasted. The authorities should immediately stop collecting toll at the Charoti and Khanivade toll plazas," said Pandit. While light motor vehicles are allowed to use only one side of the two lane Mumbai-bound bridge, heavy vehicles which have been completely banned from using the bridge are being directed via Manor-Wada-Bhiwandi-Thane and Shirsat PhataGaneshpuri-Vrajeshwari-Bhiwandi-Thane route. This apart from an option of using the Chinchoti-Kaman-Anjur Phata-Bhiwandi-Thane route. NHAI officers have assured to convey the demands to their higher ups in New Delhi and also cordinate with the traffic department to enhance force aimed at streamlining vehicular movement in a coordinated and smooth manner. - Suresh Golani