Motorists to suffer as new Mumbra bypass develops new cracks, reopening delayed by month

Residents have requested traffic police department to deploy personnel near the bridge to prevent motorists for using it.

Even as public works department (PWD) is repairing the Mumbra bypass road, new cracks have appeared on the stretch.

Cracks observed on newly repaired Mumbra bypass. (Praful Gangurde)

This is likely to postpone the opening of the bridge from July to August. The repair work was called off a few days ago owing to heavy rainfall.

Cracks were also spotted on the rail overbridge (ROB) that connects the bypass. Residents have requested traffic police department to deploy personnel near the bridge to prevent motorists for using it.

Residents said the cracks were spotted four days ago and are getting bigger with each passing day.

“Two days ago, the cracks were six-foot-deep. Now the depth has increased to nine feet. Despite the bridge being shut, people continue to use it owing to the absence of traffic police,” said Kashan Khan, 33, a resident of Amrut Nagar in Mumbra.

He added around 500 motorists use the bridge daily to avoid traffic near Mumbra station.

Sayyed Kadar, 35, a resident of Sonaji Nagar, Mumbra, said, “Although the road has been officially shut for motorists, locals who know the shortcuts access it to travel within Mumbra. These shortcuts are used to avoid traffic near Mumbra station. Moreover, there is a seasonal waterfall which is visited by locals. Hence, it is important for traffic ops to keep a tab on those using the road. This will help avert an untoward incident.”