Eastern Express Highway

MUMBAI: A vital link connecting Ghatkopar to Andheri and LBS Marg to Eastern Express Highway was shut by BMC on Friday evening after it was found to be dilapidated. This will affect traffic movement from Sion to Mulund via LBS Marg too.

NCP corporator Rakhi Jadhav said it is a culvert over a nullah, which has been termed as a bridge by BMC. “Since 2014 , I am after the department that this bridge needs to be remodeled, but they did not act on the letter. Today, suddenly they tell us that the bridge is dangerous and needs to be demolished,” said Jadhav. N ward officials have been intimated that the bridge had to be closed for vehicles. Locals have insisted that at least small vehicles should be allowed as it would create traffic chaos in the area. “We have asked for metal plates to be placed, which will not put pressure on the bridge,” she said.

Traffic police issued an advisory stating that Ghatkopar-Andheri Link Road was closed from Rasika bar to Eastern Express Highway (EEH) on Friday evening due to a major crack below the bridge, next to Ghatkopar depot. The road will be closed till the bridge is repaired. Traffic police added that the stretch from Shreyas signal to Rasika bar is open for vehicles and motorists can take a right turn towards Pantnagar.

Traffic snarls were reported on the Freeway too due to the closure of a portion of Ghatkopar-Andheri Link Road since Friday evening. Motorists said LBS Road was jammed and there was chaos. “There is crazy traffic from Kanjurmarg towards Ghatkopar on LBS Marg,” tweeted Neha Khetle. Many two- and three-wheelers were riding in the wrong direction. Another motorist tweeted that he was stuck near Priyadarshini for an hour due to the closure. “Traffic has come to a standstill on EEH,” said another motorist.

On the Freeway, motorists said they were stuck for nearly two hours, hundreds of them at night.

