Hero cop refuses 'VIP access' to politician

Crucial repairs on Saket bridge near Thane led to massive snarl-ups on the Mumbai-Agra Highway on Sunday as the police shut one side of the 33-year-old flyover to normal traffic.

Motorists bound for Thane crawled along and there were tailbacks throughout the day despite efforts by authorities to manage the traffic with the help of diversions. Only ambulances and other emergency vehicles were allowed to use the blocked lane, which prompted angry complaints from many drivers who had been stuck in traffic jams for long.

One high-profile 'protester', member of legislative council Niranjan Davkhare, enquired with a traffic constable at Mumbra toll post if he could use the shut lane. But the cop, Sukhdeo Bangar, refused to make any exceptions and requested him to use the diversion.

Niranjan, son of NCP leader Vasant Davkhare, allegedly asked Bangar his name before taking the alternative route for regular traffic.

"Despite banners announcing closure of Saket bridge lane, some people kept driving in the direction of the flyover and this complicated the already difficult traffic situation," Bangar told Mirror, without naming Niranjan. "There are signboards everywhere and still many people kept requesting us to allow them to use the bridge."

Niranjan categorically denied getting into any argument with the traffic police at Mumbra toll post.

Didn't ask for special access: MLC

"When we were asked to use the diversion, we drove in that direction. There was a huge traffic jam there so I decided to walk before calling for two bikes. I left on a bike," he said, adding he never asked Bangar his name.

But this Mirror reporter, who was at the scene, saw Niranjan arguing with the constable for gaining access to the blocked lane. Saket bridge is in a bad shape and needs urgent repairs before monsoon arrives.

Authorities had announced the partial closure from May 21 to June 5 and even sent out message alerts and social-media posts. But many motorists were not aware of it.

Traffic from Mumbra toll junction was diverted through Kharegaon. Diversions were also created at Mankoli naka on the highway and heavy vehicular traffic from Nashik, Bhiwandi and Kalyan was redirected through Kasheli village. The alternative routes were narrow, which led to severe congestion. Businessman Sachin Gajane, who commutes between Kalyan and Thane, said his travel time went up from 45 minutes to two hours on Sunday. "The traffic management was very bad," he said.

Kalyan resident Thakur Punjabi, who was driving towards Mumbai, got stuck in a tailback at Kharegaon. "We had no idea about the bridge closure. We have been stuck in this traffic for over an hour," he said.

Personnel from the Thane police headquarters joined traffic cops to man key junctions and points. Senior officers such as joint police commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre and deputy commissioner Rashmi Karandikar were on the field to supervise the efforts.

"On Saturday, there were around 65,000 vehicles. We expect the number to go up to 90,000 on Monday. People are not using diversions and are taking wrong route which is causing traffic jams," Karandikar said.


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