Thane bridge collapses; none hurt

MUMBAI, Dec 7: A small bridge near Neelje village on the Thane-Kalyan section collapsed in the wee hours today, when two pillars and three slabs supporting it gave way. No casualties were reported as there was no traffic on the bridge at the time.

The structure, spanning 80 mt and connecting Mumbra to Dombivli, Manpada, Kalyan, Ambernath, Thane city and Mumbra to Vashi in Navi Mumbai and Kalyan, collpased at 3.45 am today. Despite its size, an average 7,000-8,000 vehicles traverse the bridge every day.

Public Works Department PWD officials say the structure was built about 40 years ago and had never undergone any repiars. Police say the pillars on which it stood were partly submerged in water and had probably weakened due to this.