Palghar, Sep 3 (PTI) The Palghar district administration has submitted a Rs 25.95 crore proposal to the Maharashtra government for a permanent, all-weather bridge connecting Wadhiv and Vaiti villages to the mainland, an official said on Thursday.
Encircled by the tidal Vaitarna River, Wadhiv, with a population of 772, and Vaiti, having 716 residents, currently rely on private boats across a 600-meter channel near Kandarwan to access work, healthcare, and higher education in Palghar, Saphale, and Vasai-Virar, he added.
While local students commute daily for classes beyond grade 7, residents currently lack a safe land route, as the adjacent railway bridge’s pedestrian lane remains restricted to maintenance staff, the official said.
Categorized as a ‘Sagari Setu’ (marine bridge) to secure targeted state technical funding, the proposed 700-metre structure underwent rigorous feasibility studies.
Authorities evaluated multiple alignments, including Kandarwan, Navghar, and Vaitarna Station sides, and coordinated with railways to determine the most durable, cost-effective route, the official said.
The submitted plan includes technical notes, satellite imagery, and hydrographic considerations tailored to the river’s tidal conditions, he added.
Palghar collector Indu Rani Jakhar reasserted the administration’s resolve to resolve the long-standing isolation of the two villages.
“The Palghar district administration remains committed to improving safe and reliable connectivity for Wadhiv and Vaiti and is working under the guidance of the state government to take the bridge proposal forward in a technically sound, sustainable and financially appropriate manner,” Jakhar said.
The proposed bridge will significantly improve access to education, healthcare, employment and other essential services for residents of these villages, the collector added. PTI COR BNM
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.