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Recently in Mumbai, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole raised concerns about the Atul Setu sea bridge, also called the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL). This bridge connects south Mumbai to Navi Mumbai and was opened just a few months ago. Patole, along with some cameramen, inspected the bridge and pointed out cracks in the road. He accused the builders of poor construction and corruption, saying the bridge was not built properly.
During his inspection, Patole used a wooden stick to show the depth of the cracks, revealing that part of the road had sunk by about a foot. "A portion of the Atul Setu bridge has developed cracks within three months of the inauguration, and a half-kilometer-long stretch of the road near Navi Mumbai has caved in by a foot. The state has spent â‚ą18,000 crore on the MTHL," Patole said.
Fake News!
— Facts (@BefittingFacts) June 21, 2024
The crack is on service road. Not on Atal Setu. It is being fixed causing any disruption to traffic.
Congress spreading fake news.pic.twitter.com/IonpFqOL5m https://t.co/LaZNTP3mXI
In response, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which oversees the project, said that the cracks were not on the bridge itself but on an approach road from Ulwe in Navi Mumbai. "There have been rumors circulating about cracks on the MTHL bridge. We want to clarify that these cracks are not on the bridge itself but on the approach road connecting MTHL from Ulwe towards Mumbai," the MMRDA explained.
The BJP quickly countered the allegations, accusing the Congress of trying to damage the reputation of the Atul Setu project. "Stop maligning Atul Setu," the BJP posted on X (formerly Twitter). Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also dismissed the allegations, saying there was no danger to the Atul Setu bridge.
This is not Atal Setu pic.twitter.com/rjDy37oWRG
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) June 21, 2024
He suggested that the Congress party's claims were part of a larger plan to create division through misinformation. "There is no crack on Atul Setu. Nor is there any danger to Atul Setu. This picture is of the approach road. But one thing is clear: the Congress party has made 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 behavior of Congress," Fadnavis posted on X.
The allegations of poor construction and corruption surrounding the Atul Setu sea bridge have sparked a heated political debate in Maharashtra. While the Congress highlights potential issues and raises questions about the safety and integrity of the bridge, the BJP and MMRDA have firmly denied any serious problems, asserting that the cracks are confined to the approach road and do not threaten the bridge itself. This controversy continues to unfold, reflecting the broader political tussles in the region.
