Atal Setu: The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also called the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, is undergoing inspection because of cracks that are developing on the tar road exit to Ulwe in Navi Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened India’s longest sea bridge just over five months ago.

The Congress party has alleged government corruption in relation to the cracks discovered on the newly opened bridge. However, the Maharashtra government clarified that only minor cracks were identified on the approach road leading to the Atal Setu, and the affected footpath is not part of the main bridge.

Nana Patole

On Friday, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole visited the site to assess the cracks.

I’m here to show that our assertions aren’t just allegations. The government presents itself as working for the people, but the presence of corruption here is evident. They’re enriching themselves at the expense of people’s safety. Who authorized them to jeopardize lives? It’s time for the people to strategize on removing this corrupt government, stated Patole.

The MTHL, which was built for about Rs 17,840 crore, was officially opened in January of this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This bridge, which bears the name of the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is a significant piece of infrastructure that aims to improve connection and shorten travel times between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Even though Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a respected person, Patole noted that corruption is regrettably taking place on a bridge that bears his name. He asked that Prime Minister Modi remember this.

There were cracks visible on one side of the asphalt road. Along with the statement, “Narendra Modi had inaugurated Atal Setu six months ago,” the Congress also released a picture of Prime Minister Modi from the day of the inauguration. There was a great deal of media coverage and photo ops. It has recently come to light that the Rs 18,000 crore Atal bridge has a crack in it. This is obviously a crooked situation.

“On the approach road connecting Atal Setu, small cracks have been discovered. The aforementioned walkway is a service route that connects the bridge; it is not a component of the main bridge. Importantly, the MMRDA noted that the cracks do not threaten the bridge’s structural integrity and are not the result of project structural flaws.

Devendra Fadnavis

BJP leader and deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, emphasized that the picture in question is of the approach road and that there is no danger to Atal Setu.

One thing is certain—the Congress party has devised a long-term strategy to sow discord through misinformation,” Fadnavis said, attacking the Congress. Election-related talks about changing the constitution, using phones to unlock electronic voting machines after the results, and now these kinds of lies. The nation’s people alone have the power to overthrow Congress’s corrupt practices and this “darar” (crack) scheme.

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Meanwhile, repair work began shortly after the political dispute over the cracks on Atal Setu erupted.