The ever-crowded business district of South Mumbai, having pockets like Kalbadevi, Bhuleshwar, Dagina Bazar, Dawa bazaar, Agiary road, LT Marg, etc., may soon see ease in traffic congestion, and become pedestrian friendly.
The Joint Commissioner of Police, (traffic), Amitesh Kumar, on Wednesday submitted an affidavit in the Bombay High Court, spelling out various steps his department plans to take, with the support of local shop keepers and Transport Vehicle Owners Associations to ease movement in crowded area and bylanes, where on a daily basis there is a high footfall of shoppers and visitors.
Kumar said, during a joint inspection carried out by his officers and concerned stakeholders, several problematic areas were identified and accordingly it has been decided to implement odd-even parking.
Designated parking areas painted in yellow thermo plastic paint will be allotted, and road studs will be installed. In addition, appropriate traffic signs will be installed, demarcating loading and unloading sites for handcarts, designated stretches will be provided for pick up and drop (taxi), and there will be dedicated bus lanes.
Most importantly, appropriate authorities will be asked to carry out illegal hawker eviction drives and removal of encroachments.
A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice GS Kulkarni gave the go ahead to the traffic branch to implement the plan.
Purnima Kantharia, who appeared for the department, said: "There is no outer limit set for enforcing these steps, but we have already begun implementing them." The direction was given during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist Rajkumar Shukla, who had highlighted the problem of traffic congestion in the area.
The affidavit also says that Dr P Vedagiri has joined the expert committee, formed to analyse and suggest solutions for the area. During a recent meeting, held with the Additional Municipal Commissioner, certain data was sought by the member, for studying traffic algorithms, which are being provided and soon some suggestions/ recommendations are expected from him.
TIME TO CHANGE
- Jt Commissioner of Police, (traffic), Amitesh Kumar, submitted an affidavit in the HC, spelling out various steps his department plans to take.
- Several problematic areas have been identified
- Appropriate authorities will be asked to carry out illegal hawker eviction drives and removal of encroachments
