Kolhapur: The work of the bridge being constructed parallel to the Shivaji Bridge began on Saturday after officials from public works department’s (PWD) national highway unit assured the contractor of clearing the dues.A meeting held on Friday between the officials and contract, ND Lad, the former informed that the bills submitted by the latter are being processed.Following this, the contractor began the work.The work is expected to be completed by March-end. Lad had alleged that an official of the national highways unit had delayed the payment owing to which he had to stop the work.The action committee, comprising local leaders and activists had met district authorities and threatened to protest if the work of the bridge is not resumed within 8 days.However, on Saturday Lad said that the speed of the work will be increased. “In next one week we are expected to start the work of the slab structure and commuting along the new bridge will start from March-end,” he said.Meanwhile, officials, after inspecting the river bed, have asked the contractor to refrain from dumping concrete waste in the river. The activists had blamed the contractor for obstructing the river flow.They have also demanded that once the new bridge opens there should regulation of traffic along the old bridge and only two-wheelers and other light vehicles are only allowed for which the district authorities have an in-principle nod.

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