Extended monsoon delays repair work; plight of motorists set to linger.
Although the repair work on Dindoshi flyover began on October 2, the damaged lane of the bridge will remain shut for motorists for another week.
Out of three, two lanes are functional but only light vehicles are allowed to ply on them.
An official from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) said: “The resurfacing work has been completed. We are yet to lay bitumen before it is fit for use.”
The authorities had earlier planned to open all three lanes of the Dindoshi flyover this week. More cracks on the bridge have forced them to revise the deadline. Sources said that untill the new cracks are repaired, they may not allow plying of heavy vehicles and two-wheelers over the structure. Heavy vehicles and two-wheelers have been barred from entering the bridge since the cave-in on October 1. They have been asked to cross the Dindoshi Junction from under the flyover so that traffic load on the bridge is reduced.
“We will require one more week for laying a fresh layer of bitumen and allowing it to settle properly,” said the official. The recent spells of rain is also one of the factors the officials delayed the bitumen work.
On October 8, the MSRDC and the traffic department kept the bridge shut for public use so that the latest concrete casting that was carried out could be strengthen to its maximum.
The repair cost on the 13-year-old bridge is being borne by the MSRDC. The damage also raises concerns over checks and balances as well as supervision government authorities conduct during the construction stage.
Fact sheet
Dindoshi flyover or Goregaon-Mulund Link Road Junction flyover
Length: 550m
Age: 13 yrs
Construction began on April 13, 1998
Inaugurated on April 12, 1999
Cost: Rs11.5 cr
Contractor: VRM Infrastructure
Timeline
Oct 1:Structural damage found on Dindoshi flyover; partially shut
for traffic
Oct 2: Repair work begins. Only light vehicles allowed to ply over it
Oct 8: Entire south-bound bridge closes for a day for all kinds of vehicles
Oct 9: VRM Infrastructure, the contractor who constructed the flyover, says it should not be held accountable
Oct : More cracks found along the bridge
Oct : Experts being consulted to get opinion on how and what repairs should be carried out
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