2024-06-30 10:10:02
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, popularly known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), is facing scrutiny due to cracks appearing on its tar road exit towards Ulwe in Navi Mumbai. This bridge, the longest sea bridge in India, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just over five months ago.
The Congress party has accused the government of corruption regarding these cracks on the newly inaugurated bridge. However, the Maharashtra government clarified that minor cracks were found on the approach road connecting to the Atal Setu and that the affected footpath is not part of the main bridge.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole visited the site on Friday to inspect the cracks.
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“I have come here to show you that what we are saying is not just an allegation. The government is portraying that they are working for the people, but you can see the corruption here. They are filling their pockets, but who gave them the right to put people’s lives in danger? People should plan how to remove this corrupt government,” said Patole.
Constructed at approximately Rs 17,840 crore, the MTHL was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January this year. Named in honor of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, this bridge is a major infrastructure project designed to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
Patole emphasized that while the bridge is named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whom everyone respects, it is unfortunate that corruption is occurring in connection with a bridge bearing his name. He urged Prime Minister Modi to take note of this.
Cracks were observed on one side of the tar road. The Congress also shared a photo of Prime Minister Modi from the inauguration day, stating, “Narendra Modi had inaugurated Atal Setu 6 months ago. There was a lot of publicity, a lot of photos were clicked. Now the news is that Atal bridge built at a cost of Rs 18 thousand crores has developed a crack. This is clearly a case of corruption.”
However, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the authority responsible for the bridge’s construction, clarified that there were no cracks on the main part of the Atal Setu.
“Minor cracks have been found on the approach road connecting Atal Setu. The said footpath is not a part of the main bridge but is a service road connecting the bridge. It is also very important to note that the cracks are not due to structural defects in the project and do not pose any threat to the structure of the bridge,” the MMRDA stated.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis clarified that there is no crack on Atal Setu and no danger to it, stating that the picture in question is of the approach road.
Criticizing the Congress, Fadnavis said, “One thing is clear—the Congress party has made a long-term plan to create a rift with the help of lies. Talks of constitutional amendments during elections, unlocking of EVMs through phones after elections, and now such lies. Only the people of the country will defeat this ‘darar’ (crack) plan and the corrupt behavior of Congress.”
Meanwhile, repair works were carried out soon after the political row over the cracks on Atal Setu emerged.
A video showed a worker pouring tar on the road, while another section was covered with gravel.
