Repair work leads to chaos at Vashi toll naka, motorists stuck for 90 mins

Motorists claimed they were stuck on the approach road to the toll naka for almost 90 minutes. A similar situation had occurred after the repair wok was initiated on February 3...

Repair work of the new Vashi creek bridge resulted in heavy traffic jam on Sunday, as the holiday crowd returned to Mumbai. Motorists claimed they were stuck on the approach road to the toll naka for almost 90 minutes. A similar situation had occurred after the repair wok was initiated on February 3.

PWD officials fix a panel on the new Vashi creek bridge, for which the work commenced on February 3. (HT file photo)

According to Rajesh Bapshetty, senior police inspector (Traffic), Vashi, “There is a small panel issue on the bridge, which is being rectified by the Public Works Department (PWD). Part of the work was done on February 3 and the rest is being done now. For this purpose, one lane heading towards Mumbai was shut for traffic.

He added that the work began around 10am and was completed by 5pm.

“Our personnel were present to ensure that the jam was cleared at the earliest before the heavy rush in the evening,” Bapshetty said.

Another traffic police official said that since one lane was open for vehicles, it slowed down the vehicular movement . “The situation compounded after a couple of vehicles brushed each other. However, there was no major incident,” the official added.

Harish Shetty, a motorist, said, “I was on the highway near Centre One at 3.15pm and it was around 5 pm that I managed to cross the bridge. It was a nightmare.”