MUMBAI:

As if the closure of several bridges in the city wasn't enough to through traffic out of whack, the BMC is shutting yet another bridge in the western suburbs on Monday. The move will severely affect the already-congested SV Road. Traffic movement on both arms of the bridge, which is on Oshiwara nullah, near Siddhivinayak temple, will be shut.Sources in the traffic department said the BMC hasn't announced any date for starting repairs and it's not likely to commence before the end of the monsoon . Closure of the bridge will majorly affect vehicular movement towards Goregaon and Andheri .Barricades will be put up for 150 metres on the bridge. Motorists will be given a diversion via Relief Road at Jogeshwari to go towards Link Road. Alternatively, motorists can take Western Express Highway. "We are expecting a backlash from motorists, but there's precious little we can do," said a traffic police constable. Residents of the area said Metro construction had already shut off most portions of Link Road, and SV Road's closure will be a nightmare. The Lokhandwala-Oshiwara Citizens Association circulated a public notice with details of the diversions.The bridge is highly corroded, according to civic officials. Goregaon corporator Deepak Thakur said, "Its closure is going to hit traffic movement majorly. Anyone wanting to go from Oshiwara to Malad would be required to go via Link Road or WEH. This will put additional traffic burden on these two stretches."The BMC has made it clear that they do not want to take responsibility for any bridges that are in a bad condition, said a senior traffic official. "Civic officers are apprehensive that they would be booked if there is a bridge collapse like the Himalaya bridge at CST. They have not put any thought about traffic movement. Schools will be thrown open next week and congestion will get worse," he said.