Netas forcibly ‘throw open’ Vasai bridge thrice, MMRDA closes it citing safety concerns

Mumbai: In the last three days, Ambadi bridge, which connects Vasai east and west, has been forcibly thrown open by the public and political parties on at least three occasions. However, every time the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials have closed it again, claiming that it will be ready in two weeks. Citizens complained that MMRDA is delaying the inauguration as they are waiting for chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to do the honours.Politicians claimed that the flyover is ready and only needs a fresh coat of paint, MMRDA officials said it is yet to be inspected for safety.
On Wednesday, following whispers that Fadnavis will soon inaugurate the bridge, the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi party of Vasai MLA Hitendra Thakur put up banners on the 736m-long bridge to take credit for it. Within minutes, it was forcibly inaugurated by a group of people who removed the barricades and allowed vehicles to ply over it. But within an hour, MMRDA officials placed iron barricades.
On Thursday, MNS activists “opened” the bridge again and allowed entry of vehicles. They also put up banners demanding the bridge be officially declared open before the rains.
On Friday, ex-independent MLA from Vasai Vivek Pandit inaugurated the bridge. His followers pushed away the iron barricades placed by MMRDA and allowed vehicles to ply on it. The barricades were, however, back after the protestors left. Now the NCP is expected to open the bridge on Saturday.
The work order on the bridge was given in August 2009, and it was to be completed by February 2011. The work got delayed as due to the process of laying girders running through railway tracks; in April, the final girder was placed. Motorists said they expected it to be inaugurated before monsoon as the existing bridge sees massive traffic jams, especially when it is pouring.