Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) of corruption and endangering lives over the construction quality of the Atal Setu bridge. The allegations arose following an inspection of cracks that have appeared on the bridge connecting South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, as reported by PTI.
Patole criticized the construction quality of the six-lane bridge, noting that a portion of the road had caved in by a foot. He accused the BJP and MMRDA of compromising public safety. The Atal Setu, also known as the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL), stretches 21.8 km, with a 16.5 km sea link, and was inaugurated in January this year.
“The bridge has been named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and yet the government indulged in corruption. This is very unfortunate,” Patole stated, according to PTI.
In response to these allegations, both BJP and MMRDA clarified that the identified cracks were not on the main bridge structure but on the approach road from Ulwe in Navi Mumbai. The BJP addressed the issue on X, emphasizing that immediate repair works were underway. MMRDA also issued a statement, explaining that during an inspection by the Operation and Maintenance team on June 20, 2024, minor longitudinal cracks were found in the asphalt pavement at three locations on Ramp 5.
“The cracks are minor and on the road surface near the edges. They can be easily fixed,” the MMRDA statement assured, according to PTI. They further mentioned that the repair works would be completed within 24 hours.
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, built at a cost of ₹17,840 crore, remains a significant infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about infrastructure integrity and public safety, especially in high-profile projects named after prominent political figures. The MMRDA’s swift response and commitment to repairs aim to mitigate these concerns and ensure the bridge’s safety for commuters.
Sources By Agencies
