The State Government took the decision, after cracks were detected in the bridge on Zuari River in an investigation carried out last weekend, by the experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai. However, the reasons for the cracks could not be ascertained.

The bridge on Zuari River-an important link between Mumbai and Kanyakumari-will be closed to heavy vehicular traffic from Friday as it has developed irreparable cracks in it.

The bridge would be restricted to the movement of the light motor vehicles (LMVs) only and the speed limit of 40 Kilometer per hour on the bridge.

The closure of the bridge will seriously affect the tourists travelling by public transport heavy vehicles.

Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane had said that he would not take any risk as far as the safety of the people travelling on the bridge was concerned and the government would go for construction of a new bridge.

He had said that the basic design of the bridge was faulty, and therefore, further repairs for the bridge would do no good.

Rane had assured that adequate number of ferry boats would be pressed into service across Zuari River.

Commissioned in 1983, the 830 metre long and 10.5 metre wide bridge across Zuari River was constructed at a cost of Rs 18 crore.

The bridge has been repaired on many occasions during 1997-2002 amounting to a cost of Rs seven crore. (ANI)