Vashi residents will soon be able to navigate and safely cross over the busy road at the market in Sector 9. The Foot-Over-Bridge (FOB) which was under construction by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) for the last two years is now in the final stage of completion.

Most of the work on the bridge has already been completed, with staircase railings, a roof and tiles in place. The only permission pending from the side of the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD), once that is done NMMC can go ahead with installing the lift and giving the final touches to the bridge.

While speaking to Newsband, an official from NMMC's city engineering department at Vashi said, “The Bridge is almost completed, we are just awaiting permission from the Public Works Department for the lift installation approval. We have already finished the tiling and roofing of the bridge and other work that was necessary. Once we get the permissions, we can finish up with the pending work and open the bridge for the public.”

The FOB work was delayed in the past due to COVID-19 and other unforeseen hurdles. The approximate cost of the bridge is approximately around Rs 2.44 crores.

The bridge was envisaged to aid pedestrians in crossing from one side to the other as the marketplace at Sector 9, Vashi receives high footfall.

Rashi Kidwani, a resident of Sector 9, Vashi said, “We have been looking forward to the completion of this bridge as it is pedestrian-friendly and will improve walkability. A bridge in this area was much needed.”

Gautam Prasad Lal, a vegetable seller said, “Once this bridge is opened to the public it will be easier to carry goods from one side to the other without having to worry about the threat of oncoming traffic.