The highways ministry and Maharashtra, Public Works Department (PWD) has rebuilt three-lane bridge alongside the British-era Bridge in record time period of 165 days. The construction of the bridge was highly prioritized as the Mumbai-Goa Highway is an important inter-state link for transport and economic sectors, and people from both sides prefer to travel via this route only. The 239-metre bridge is built with a total Cost of Rs.35.77 Cr.
Bridge was inaugurated by CM Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday 5 June, 2017 and is thrown open for the public just before the south-west monsoon hits Maharashtra over the next few days. Minister said reopening of the bridge is one way tribute to all those who lost their lives in bridge collapse incident last year.
Old Mumbai-Goa Bridge had collapsed
The old masonry arch bridge on Savitri and Kal river near Mahad, Raigad district in Maharashtra collapsed due to heavy torrential rainfall on 2 August, 2016. The bridge was built in 1928 and at least 40 people had died due to collapse.
An Indian Navy Team was deployed to look for survivors. Two buses, a Tavera SUV, a Honda City sedan and other smaller vehicles also swept away. Only 26 bodies could be recovered by NDRF and rest was washed away in high seas. Considering the heavy traffic flow on this highway corridor; Government of Maharashtra announced immediate construction of new bridge on same location within six months after this mishap.
The New Mumbai Goa Bridge
Government sanctioned the work estimates, floated tenders and lowest bid was accepted on December 1. The work was carried out by civil engineering major, Larsen & Toubro Infrastructures Pvt Ltd, Pune. Road Transport Ministry has created a record by building a complete new river bridge in just 165days.
The 239m long and 16 meter wide bridge has lightning arrangement, anti-corrosive steel, road safety measures, footpath and flood alarm system. The four laning of the Mumbai-Goa road has also been approved by government under NHDP-IV scheme. Officials said that several weak bridges are also proposed for re-construction with new 4/6 lane bridges. At present, Contract for 4-laning of 352.57 km has already been awarded and work is likely to start soon.
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