India TV Fact Check: Fake news is spread on various topics on social media platforms. A similar case has come up from Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. It was claimed in a viral photo that there are cracks in Mumbai's Atal Setu which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When India TV fact-checked this claim, it was found that the photos being circulated on social media were false.
What is the case of cracks in Atal Setu?
On Friday, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole shared several photos on social media platforms claiming that there are cracks in the recently built Atal Setu. He directly blamed the Modi government for this. On the social media platform X, Nana Patole shared four photos of cracks on the roads and said, "It is very concerning that the Atal Setu bridge, which was inaugurated just 3 months ago by PM Narendra Modi, has developed cracks. The large number of cracks has created an atmosphere of fear among the vehicles passing through here." He also said, "This matter is very serious. We demand that the Supreme Court take immediate cognizance and investigate the matter."
Additionally, the Congress party shared the claim of cracks in Atal Setu on their social media platform X. The Congress directly accused the Modi government. The Congress wrote on X, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Atal Setu in Mumbai 6 months ago. There was a lot of promotion and photography during this time. Now news is coming out that the Atal Setu, built at a cost of Rs 18,000 crore, has developed cracks. This is clearly a case of corruption." Along with this major accusation, the Congress shared photos of PM Narendra Modi and the cracked roads on X. Along with Congress, other social media users are sharing photos related to this incident on different platforms, accusing the central government of corruption.
India TV's investigation
As soon as India TV got information about the alleged cracks in Atal Setu, we investigated the entire matter. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) refuted the allegations made by Maharashtra Congress regarding the cracks in Atal Setu. According to MMRDA, there are no cracks in Atal Setu. All the news being spread on social media is fake.
Besides, the project head of the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL), i.e., Atal Setu, Kailash Ganatra, completely dismissed the rumors about the cracks. News agency IANS shared a video of him on June 21. In this video, Kailash Ganatra said, "We want to clarify that the cracks are not on the bridge, but on the service lane connecting MTHL to Ulwe and Mumbai. During an inspection by the operation and maintenance team on June 20, 2024, small cracks were found in three places on the road surface near the edges of the service lane." He further said, "These small cracks are on the asphalt of the service lane pavement. The contractor has already started the repair work, which will be completed within 24 hours."
What did India TV's Fact Check reveal?
India TV's fact check revealed that the photos of cracks in Atal Setu shared on social media by Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole and the party are fake. The fact check found that there are no cracks in Atal Setu. Kailash Ganatra, the project head of Atal Setu, also issued a clarification video. Thus, the claims made by Congress about the cracks in Atal Setu are false.
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