In a move to ease traffic congestion in South-Mumbai, Mumbai Traffic Police have recently sent a proposal to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to build six subways in the different areas of South Mumbai which witnesses a heavy rush of pedestrians to cross the roads. Three of the six subways have been proposed to be built around CSMT, said a traffic police official.
"We have identified spots in South Mumbai with high pedestrian flow. Despite zebra crossings, there is obstruction of traffic flow due to high pedestrian movement. Building subways at these junctions will ease traffic flow," said a traffic police officer requesting anonymity.
In its proposal to the BMC, the traffic police have pointed out the need for at least three subways in the CSMT area. On average, CSMT area handles as many as 6.4 lakh commuters during peak hours.
"We have proposed for a subway from CSMT station to Capitol Cinema. There is a pedestrian subway from CST to the mouth of Hazarimal Somani Marg going towards the Bombay Gymkhana, but without any opening of the subway towards Capitol Cinema, people use zebra crossing to commute from Capitol Cinema to Hazarimal Somani Marg subway, slowing down vehicular movement," the officer said.
Another subway has been proposed from CSMT station to Dhanyawad Gate. "Pedestrians commuting from or towards Walchand Hirachand Marg and Fort currently use the area near DCP Zone I or GPO for crossing. A subway from CSMT to Dhanyawad Gate, will allow free-flowing traffic movement in the area," said the officer.
Another subway has been proposed from Bhatia Baug to CSMT station.
After analysing pedestrian crossing problem near Churchgate station, the traffic department has proposed to build a subway at CTO junction. "We have proposed subways at CTO junction and Hutatma Chowk. People commuting to High Court or Fort from Churchgate station uses CTO junction, which witnesses high footfall during peak hours. Same is the case at Hutatma Chowk. Apart from these, we have proposed a subway at Girgaum Chowpatty towards Sukh Sagar," said the officer.
THE PROPOSAL
- Traffic Police have sent a proposal to BMC to build subways in areas which witnesses a heavy rush of pedestrians
- A subway has been proposed from CSMT station to Capitol Cinema
- Two others connect CSMT station to Bhatia Baug & Dhanyawad Gate
- Another will connect Girgaum Chowpatty to Sukh Sagar
