Nightmare as Versova bridge fate undecided

Mumbai: The Versova creek bridge connecting the city to Gujarat and Delhi by roadwhich was partly shut in September to fix a crack will not open for smooth vehicular traffic any time soon. Motorists are being caught in massive jams for nearly two hours in the up and down directions.
Rehabilitation of the 43-year-old north-bound 48.5-metre bridge will depend on the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB).The Denmark-based consultancy company, Ramboll, appointed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to examine the bridge, has recommended a truss (diagonal, triangular bars) to support the bridge. A typical truss bridge looks like a hollow box with open/closed vertical sides and roof; the sides reinforced with diagonal trusses, and base resting on girders. The truss that will be placed below the cracked girder of the bridge to support the road load will reduce vertical clearance under the bridge by five metres. The vertical clearance now is 10 metres.
An NHAI official said marine traffic can be affected during high tide once the truss is placed. Small fishing boats can continue to move beneath the structure during high/low tides.
The structural report on the placing of a truss below the horizontal girder that has developed a crack was submitted to MMB on January 9. Sources said MMB officials will inspect the spot to ensure marine traffic is not affected.
Thane rural police had expressed concern as coastal patrolling can be hit if the truss is placed under the bridge. Night patrolling using speed boats are undertaken in the creek regularly.
A 20kmph restriction has been imposed for light vehicles on the affected bridge from September 10. North-bound light vehicles run on the cracked bridge under speed restrictions, while heavy vehicles (below 15 tonnes) are diverted to the south bridge after a gap of 15 minutes.
Sources said even after the truss is placed, five-axle vehicles will not be allowed to use the bridge. If MMB approves the truss, work will take around two months. “Light vehicles will continue to move on the bridge with speed restrictions,” an NHAI officer said.