Speak up Mumbai: Should speed limit on Sea Link be upped?

The Mumbai Traffic Police are carrying out a feasibility survey of speed limit revision at the iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL).

The traffic police had decided to carry out a feasibility survey after receiving requests from citizens to revise the present speed limits at the ingress, egress and straight way areas.

However, the existing speed limits were laid down after considering the curve at the ingress stretch and other factors.

The traffic police have already stated that citizen safety would be of utmost priority before deciding on the new speed limit. The move needs to be assessed and implemented carefully as it should not result in an increase in accident cases on the Sea Link.

Following this move, DNA spoke to citizens, who use the Sea Link on a daily basis, to know whether revising the speed limit at BWSL is a good idea or not.

RESIDENTS' SPEAK

If the feasibility survey results show that the speed limit should be revised, then the traffic police should first carry out a pilot test for a few days or weeks to assess the safety and its impact. If the results are positive then the revised speed limits should be implemented.
— Suhail Ansari, resident of Pydhonie

The current speed limit at the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is appropriate. The traffic authority should not revise the speed limit as it might lead to more accidents. Thousands commute by Sea Link route to avoid traffic and they, too, violate the current speed limit. Before increasing the speed limit, the authority should consider the safety of the commuters.
—Rohit Sawant, resident of Parel

If the police are considering about increasing the speed limit it is a welcome gesture. Anyway, people speed on the Sea Link because the road is empty and spacious enough for vehicles to drive faster. This can be done on a trial basis and if there are problems then a solution can be definitely worked out.
—Bhushan Worlikar, resident of Worli

I do not see the need to increase the speed limit as it will only make a difference of a few minutes as well as multiply the risk of accidents. Despite speed limits, several accidents have taken place in the past due to lack of lane discipline being followed by motorists. The Mumbai Traffic Police should ensure that motorists follow the rules as they speed anyway despite the set speed limits.
—Preeti Chavan, resident of Kandivli.

It is true that the city is facing traffic jam issues throughout. The traffic police are also carrying out surveys to assess junctions where citizens can be given relief. However, citizen safety should be given topmost priority.
— RP Sharma, resident of CP Tank

The current speed limit on the Sea Link is more than sufficient. The stretch from Bandra to Worli is relatively shorter and does not require a higher speed limit. The speed limit should not be increased as it might cause more accidents
— Sudhir Kamat, resident of Bandra

EXPERT SPEAK

I appreciate that the Mumbai Traffic Police are being more realistic. The stretch at BWSL which has the speed limit of 80 kmph, can be increased up to 90 or 100 kmph, but not beyond that. Anyone who travels above 100 kmph should be dealt by the police. We do not have good lane discipline. If we did, we could think of rising the speed limit further.
— Dr PS Pasricha, Former Mumbai Police Commissioner and Traffic expert

Increasing speed on the stretch from the toll naka to the spot where the road tapers on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, the speed limit should be reduced to 30 kmph because of the sharp turn. However, on the mid-way stretch of the BWSL where the speed limit is 80 kmph, it can be increased to say around 120 kmph. There is not much to gain by increasing the speed, but the risk factor increases tremendously.
—Sudhir Badami, Transport expert