Connect with us
Monday,11-November-2024
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Mumbai: BMC Successfully Slides 550-Ton Beam For Carnac Bridge Reconstruction; Second Beam Installation Scheduled For December 2024

Published

on

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has successfully concluded the crucial task of sliding a 550-metric ton iron beam, spanning 70 meters, on the railway section as part of the reconstruction of the 154-year-old Carnac Bridge, located at Lokmanya Tilak Road. This ambitious project aims to improve connectivity and address safety concerns, with the installation of a second beam anticipated to be finalized by the end of December 2024.

The Carnac Bridge is undergoing significant renovations due to its deteriorating condition. The sliding operation of the southern girder was completed under the experienced supervision of various municipal officials and experts. The first part of the beam shift occurred between 12:25 AM and 5:45 AM on Sunday, 13th October, covering a distance of 58 meters. The remaining 12 meters were successfully completed between 12:30 AM and 3:30 AM on Monday, 14th October.

Following the successful relocation of the beam, further endeavors will focus on the southward installation and simultaneous construction of the bridge’s western access road, expected to commence shortly. BMC aims to finalize the second girder by the conclusion of December, attesting to its commitment to restoring this vital infrastructure.

The technical intricacies surrounding the beam sliding presented formidable challenges.

An official from BMC’s Bridges Department said, “To ensure precision and safety, we have enlisted specialized guidance, aligning closely with the Central Railway Administration. The cooperative efforts of the Municipal Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), Abhijit Bangar, facilitated seamless coordination for this complex operation.”

Chief Engineer Uttam Shrote and Deputy Chief Engineer Rajesh Mulay played pivotal roles in executing the plan.

Ensuring railway safety was paramount throughout this operation. The procedures to install the beam will only proceed after obtaining the necessary approvals and railway block from the Central Railway Administration, showcasing the thorough risk analysis and strategic planning integrated into this project.

The Carnac Bridge served as a crucial artery in South Mumbai, linking the Masjid Bunder area to vital hubs, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mohammad Ali Road.

Initially demolished in 2022, the bridge’s reconstruction project faced multiple delays. Encroachments along the roadway and setbacks in securing necessary railway blocks have hampered progress, necessitating a revised timeline that now anticipates completion by 2025. Earlier projections suggested that at least one lane would be operational by June 2024, following the arrival of essential girders in March.

The absence of the bridge has significantly disrupted traffic patterns across the city. Given the traffic challenges exacerbated by detours, the reopening of the Carnac Bridge is essential to normalizing movement, especially along P D’Mello Road, which facilitates connections between South Mumbai and the eastern suburbs through the Eastern Freeway and the recently inaugurated Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.

Additional routes impacted by this closure include Mohammad Ali Road, CSMT Junction Road, SVP Road, Wadi Bunder Junction, and Crawford Market Road, all of which are typically narrow and congested with encroachments, now grappling with traffic volumes far exceeding their designed capacities. Traffic officials emphasize the pressing need to maintain CSMT Junction Road as a free-flowing thoroughfare to prevent gridlock, particularly because of the high volume of pedestrians and motorists reliant on it.

Resident of Masjid Bunder, Anil Gotugade expressed the community’s reliance on the bridge for both emergency access and daily commuting needs, “The bridge is extremely vital. Its closure has been a hardship for us. It is the only bridge that connected us to the eastern freeway. We have been forced to take longer routes to reach Fort, Bombay Hospital, Girgaon, Churchgate, and Mantralaya. If one wishes to access Colaba now, it has become quite tiresome.”

He elaborated on the impact of the bridge’s absence on family life, noting the significant time required for his son to reach school in Churchgate. “Travelling by two-wheeler takes us an hour and a half via the detours, while using the bridge would have cut that down to just 15 minutes.” He also mentioned that the bridge’s reopening could positively influence local property values, which had stagnated due to the bridge’s inaccessibility, making real estate transactions challenging for residents.

Maharashtra

‘I Am Only CM In Maharashtra Who Doesn’t Own A House In Mumbai’: Devendra Fadnavis

Published

on

Nagpur: Addressing a public rally ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made an emotional appeal to the voters highlighting that despite been the Member of Legislative Assembly for 25 years, he does not own a house in Mumbai and is a proud Nagpurkar. Fadnavis is contesting from Nagpur South West, his hometown, where he is sitting MLA from 2009.

“I never thought for myself. I also did not start any businesses, educational institutions or medical colleges. For 25 years, I have worked only for society and did public works. I am glad to say that out of 20 Chief Ministers Maharashtra had, I am the only Chief Minister who does not own a house in Mumbai. I own house in Nagpur and I am a proud Nagpurkar,” Fadnavis said in an election rally.

Devendra Fadnavis was the CM of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019 when the BJP – Shiv Sena (undivided) was in power, and was the second CM in Maharashtra to complete full term. When the Mahayuti formed its government in 2022, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde became the CM and Fadnavis took charge as his deputy. Fadnavis currently resides in his official residence ‘Sagar Bhunglow’ in Mumbai’s Malabar Hill.

For the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, BJP fielded Fadnavis from Nagpur South West, his hometown, from where he three-term sitting MLA. The BJP this time is contesting with alliance partners Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

With the elections less than a week away, all parties and political leaders have intensified their campaigning. With the campaign at last stages, the leaders are making emotional appeal to voters. With both Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) releasing their election manifesto, several promises are made to public.

This will be the second direct fight between Mahayuti and MVA after 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Continue Reading

Crime

Mumbai Cops and Poll Squads Seize 1.95 kg of Gold Worth Rs 1.43 Crore in Dahisar

Published

on

Mumbai: Cops, poll flying squads seize 1.95 kg of gold worth Rs 1.43 cr in Dahisar

Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, enforcement agencies in Mumbai’s Dahisar have seized 1.95 kg of gold valued at Rs 1.43 crore.

During a routine inspection at Avdhoot Nagar in Dahisar West, the Static Surveillance Team No. 9, led by Yatin Dhondekar and under the guidance of Returning Officer Sheetal Deshmukh of the 153-Dahisar Assembly Constituency, successfully confiscated 1.95 kg of gold valued at Rs 1.43 crore.

The seizure was part of routine surveillance measures designed to prevent the unauthorised movement of precious metals and unaccounted cash.

This significant operation underscores the SST’s commitment to curbing illegal transactions of cash, precious metals, and liquor in the region, aimed at preventing undue influence on voters during the election period.

The Model Code of Conduct was enforced in the state on October 15 ahead of the polls scheduled to be held on November 20.

Voting for the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held on November 20 and counting on November 23.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai: RSS Launches Massive Campaign To Ensure Hindu Voters’ Turnout For Maharashtra Assembly Elections

Published

on

Mumbai: The voting for the Maharashtra assembly elections will be conducted on Wednesday, November 20 and all political parties have intensified their campaigns. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has jumped in and has started a massive campaign to ensure the maximum turnout of Hindu voters. Banners are being displayed to that effect at prominent places across Maharashtra, including Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The karyakartas do not chant slogans but handbills containing the appeal are distributed. In Mumbai, such events have been held at Andheri, Bhandup, Chembur, Ghatkopar and several other places. A source in the RSS said in the last Lok Sabha elections many Hindus did not vote for a variety of reasons. The result was that the number of BJP MPs nosedived from 23 to 9 which alarmed the Sangh Parivar.

Mumbai: The voting for the Maharashtra assembly elections will be conducted on Wednesday, November 20 and all political parties have intensified their campaigns. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has jumped in and has started a massive campaign to ensure the maximum turnout of Hindu voters. Banners are being displayed to that effect at prominent places across Maharashtra, including Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

The karyakartas do not chant slogans but handbills containing the appeal are distributed. In Mumbai, such events have been held at Andheri, Bhandup, Chembur, Ghatkopar and several other places. A source in the RSS said in the last Lok Sabha elections many Hindus did not vote for a variety of reasons. The result was that the number of BJP MPs nosedived from 23 to 9 which alarmed the Sangh Parivar.

This time around the aim is to ensure a minimum 20 percent hike in voting so that candidates of the BJP and or it’s allies, Shiv Sena (Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) are elected.

The campaign is, however, posing a problem in certain constituencies. For example, in Anushakti Nagar, the NCP (Ajit Pawar) nominee is Sana Shaikh, daughter of ex-minister Nawab Malik, whom the BJP is accusing of having links with international terrorist Dawood Ibrahim. Malik Sr has denied the charge but the perception persists, nevertheless. S Jayaram, a staunch Modi bhakt said, “I cannot imagine myself voting for Sana Malik. Many voters like me are facing a dilemma. And we don’t want to press the NOTA button either.”

In neighbouring Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency Nawab Malik himself is the NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate. The Sangh Parivar is boycotting him in a predominantly Muslim seat. Nawab Malik, on his part, has publicly declared that he does not need the saffron parivar’s support. He is locked in a bitter fight with sitting MLA Abu Azmi of the Samajwadi Party, who is one of the richest candidates of Maharashtra.

Malik hopes to break the tape on the basis of the anti-incumbency groundswell in the extremely impoverished constituency where children have died of malnutrition.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending