Mumbai (Aryavarth): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday asserted that there is “no danger” to Atal Setu and termed the allegations as part of congress “long-term plan to create a rift with the help of lies.”
This comes after Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole on Friday inspected the cracks spotted on the Mumbai-Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) and alleged that these are the result of corruption.
’There is no crack on Atal Setu. Nor is there any dander to Atal Setu. This picture is of the approach road. But one thing is clear: the Congress Party has a long-term plan to create a rift with the help of lies. Talks of constitutional amendments during elections, unlocking of EVMs via phone after elections, and now such lies. Only the people of the country will defeat this ‘Darar plan’ and the corrupt behaviour of Congress. Devendra Fadnavis posted on X.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) clarified that minor cracks were found on the approach road connecting Atal Setu in Ulwe, which is not a part of the bridge but is a service road connecting the bridge.
MMRDA stated that the cracks are not due to structural defects in the project and do not pose any threat to the structure of the bridge.
MMRDA also labelled the news as ‘rumours’ and urged the citizens not to believe them.
According to MMRDA, these minor cracks were already noticed at three places on Ramp No. 5, from Ulwe towards Mumbai, on Thursday during an inspection by the operation and maintenance team of the project and require immediate repair. Strabag, the contractor for package 4 of the Atal Setu project, has started the repair work in the said area, and the work will be completed within 24 hours without any disruption to the traffic on the bridge.
The official statement reads, ‘’ It has been noticed that there is no crack in the main part of the Atal Setu Bridge, but rumours are being spread in various media about it. Please don’t believe the rumours. Minor cracks have been found on the approach road connecting Atal Setu. The said footpath is not part of the main bridge but is a service road connecting the bridge. It is also very important to note that the cracks are not due to structural defects in the project and do not pose any threat to the structure of the bridge.’’