MUMBAI: Almost every Mumbaikar is guilty of jaywalking, but the offence was not reflected in the Road Safety Fortnight campaign conducted by the traffic police. During the 15 days of the initiative, which concluded recently, the traffic police hauled up more than 88,000 motorists for offences that ranged from drunk driving to speeding. But no pedestrian was pulled up for jaywalking or asked to pay the mandatory Rs 100 fine.
Mumbaikars dodging vehicles and weaving their way through bumper-to-bumper traffic are a common sight, and according to motorists responsible for many accidents. Police officials admit that it is always more difficult to crack down on jaywalkers than motorists. Chartered accountant Sumeet Shah said: "The focus of Road Safety Fortnight was motorists. The police were more intent on penalizing drivers, while pedestrians went unpunished."
The traffic police's scorecard during the drive that began on January 1 is impressive: 29,480 vehicles owners were fined for unauthorized parking; more than 13,500 motorists were caught jumping signals, 6,793 for helmetless driving and 3,483 for not wearing seat belts. The police collected Rs 70.14 lakh by way of fines.
Though the police carry out anti-jaywalking drives, it was not included during the Road Safety Fortnight. Lack of manpower was the main reason. "The Mumbai traffic police force is about 3,200 strong. To conduct a drive against jaywalkers, we need the assistance of the local police, but they are usually tied up in bandobast duties," said a senior traffic police official. "We have limited manpower and cannot allocate a separate team to monitor jaywalkers." Most citizens do not realize that jaywalking is an offence, said officials. "We have to face the wrath of citizens when we pull them up for jaywalking. They even shout at us," he said.
Jaywalkers, as per the rules, are those pedestrians who refuse to use subways or bridges and insist on using the roads. But motorists say that even pedestrians who don't use pavements and cross roads when the green signal for vehicles is flashing should be fined. As part of the drive, the traffic police held 65 street plays to spread awareness on road rules. About 550 motorists were pulled up for driving under the influence of alcohol. The largest number of drunk drivers-133 offenders-were between 26-30 years. "Teenagers were the safest drivers and only one motorist between 18-20 years was caught for this offence," said an official.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Traffic cop arrested on rape charge in Mumbai
Officers from the Kurla police station arrested a traffic constable on Monday for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 15-year-old girl.
“Ganesh Tarpe, 22, attached to the Colaba Traffic Division in South Mumbai has been booked for kidnapping, rape and criminal intimidation,” senior inspector Vijay Bagve said.
“Tarpe will be produced before the Kurla metropolitan magistrate’s court on Tuesday,” the inspector said.
Doctors at the police hospital in Nagpada have examined Tarpe and the victim. Bagve said that the police would decide on the next course of action after going through the medical reports.
Another officer said that the victim, who studies in Std IX in a Marathi medium school in Kurla, knew Tarpe for many years. “They were neighbours in the police colony at Kurla for the past several years,” he said. “The constable had an affair with the victim for the past two years.”
On January 20, Tarpe took the victim to Virar. There, he booked a room in a lodge and allegedly raped the girl, the officer said. Both returned home in the evening.
The incident came to light on Sunday when the victim’s father, a police naik at Trombay police station, learnt that his daughter had not gone to school on January 20. When he enquired about it, his daughter told him that she had gone to Virar with Tarpe. She also told him about their physical relation.
The victim’s father lodged a complaint of kidnap and rape against Tarpe at Kurla police station on Monday.
“Ganesh Tarpe, 22, attached to the Colaba Traffic Division in South Mumbai has been booked for kidnapping, rape and criminal intimidation,” senior inspector Vijay Bagve said.
“Tarpe will be produced before the Kurla metropolitan magistrate’s court on Tuesday,” the inspector said.
Doctors at the police hospital in Nagpada have examined Tarpe and the victim. Bagve said that the police would decide on the next course of action after going through the medical reports.
Another officer said that the victim, who studies in Std IX in a Marathi medium school in Kurla, knew Tarpe for many years. “They were neighbours in the police colony at Kurla for the past several years,” he said. “The constable had an affair with the victim for the past two years.”
On January 20, Tarpe took the victim to Virar. There, he booked a room in a lodge and allegedly raped the girl, the officer said. Both returned home in the evening.
The incident came to light on Sunday when the victim’s father, a police naik at Trombay police station, learnt that his daughter had not gone to school on January 20. When he enquired about it, his daughter told him that she had gone to Virar with Tarpe. She also told him about their physical relation.
The victim’s father lodged a complaint of kidnap and rape against Tarpe at Kurla police station on Monday.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Cops fear chaos as Pedder Rd flyover work looms Read more: Cops fear chaos as Pedder Rd flyover work looms
MUMBAI: The traffic police are gearing up for one of their worst nightmares. The job entails managing the diversion of 60% of Mumbai's traffic for the approximately two years it will take for the Pedder Road flyover to be constructed.
The police fear that the arterial route will have to be closed for at least three years for work to proceed on the %4.4-km bridge between Lala Lajpat Rai College near Haji Ali and Wilson College near Girgaum Chowpatty. The resulting mess can well be imagined as Pedder Road is the conduit for around two lakh vehicles a day. "It's not only about diverting traffic that comes to Pedder Road, but also that from the areas along and around the road," said a traffic expert.
Owing to controversy, it was not clear for long whether the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) would have the will to proceed with the project. But now, the construction company intends to invite tenders for the flyover by May after seeking clearance for the project from the Union environment ministry.
Work on the flyover can impact the movement of traffic not only in south Mumbai, but also other parts of the city. Already, a number of flyovers are being built on the city's east, because of which over 40,000 cars from the eastern suburbs go west and take the Bandra-Worli sea link to reach Byculla and CST down south instead of the usual Dr Ambedkar and P D'Mello roads, thus clogging up the roads along the western coastline.
"The ongoing construction of the eastern freeway, King's Circle, Suman Nagar and Burfiwala (Andheri) flyovers, the monorail route between Jacob Circle and Chembur via Wadala, and the metro corridor between Versova and Ghatkopar have disrupted traffic in those areas," said a transportation expert.
"Now take the proposed Pedder Road flyover into consideration. The MSRDC has said that it will be constructed only during the night so that the impact on day-time and peak hour movement of traffic is minimal. But if the corporation wants to complete the Rs 200-crore project in the targeted 18 months, it can't limit the construction work to only the night.
"The pace of work will also be affected even if one lane on either side of the road is left open to traffic."
Clearly, the 18-month time limit is unrealistic. Urban planners say that flyovers smaller than the proposed Pedder Road one have taken a minimum of two years to be completed. They say that because of the complex network of underground utilities along Pedder Road and the prospect of litigation by residents and other opponents of the project, the work will stretch to at least three years, meaning traffic disruption for such a period of time.
"If the network of utilities like pipelines and cables is complicated and deep, then work on the flyover will certainly stretch to more than 30 months," said a town planning expert.
Recently, the traffic police submitted a vehicular diversion plan pertaining to the project to the MSRDC. They have proposed two routes for Churchgate- and CST-bound traffic; one via Mumbai Central for CST, and the other back to Pedder Road via Tardeo junction.
An urban infrastructure expert said the MSRDC would require 18 months just to raise the pillars for the flyover. Another 18 months will be needed to put up the girders and complete the over bridge.
But MSRDC managing director and vice-chairman Bipin Shrimali insisted that the corporation has prepared a plan according to which the flyover can be constructed within 18 months.
"We will put the construction work out to tender by May," he said. "The work will be carried out in such fashion during the night that people are not inconvenienced due to noise or subjected to traffic jams. We will also try to keep one lane open on either side of the road for the duration of the work."
An MSRDC official said that among those who stay along the road, "those who will be the most inconvenienced by the construction work may get special passes for their vehicles. They include, besides residents, those working at schools and other institutions".
Allaying the police's fears, he said the corporation would arrange for people to be deployed along the road to manage traffic. "A committee would be formed to monitor the construction work. The panel will also listen to the grievances of residents and will submit frequent reports to the state and the Centre."
The police fear that the arterial route will have to be closed for at least three years for work to proceed on the %4.4-km bridge between Lala Lajpat Rai College near Haji Ali and Wilson College near Girgaum Chowpatty. The resulting mess can well be imagined as Pedder Road is the conduit for around two lakh vehicles a day. "It's not only about diverting traffic that comes to Pedder Road, but also that from the areas along and around the road," said a traffic expert.
Owing to controversy, it was not clear for long whether the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) would have the will to proceed with the project. But now, the construction company intends to invite tenders for the flyover by May after seeking clearance for the project from the Union environment ministry.
Work on the flyover can impact the movement of traffic not only in south Mumbai, but also other parts of the city. Already, a number of flyovers are being built on the city's east, because of which over 40,000 cars from the eastern suburbs go west and take the Bandra-Worli sea link to reach Byculla and CST down south instead of the usual Dr Ambedkar and P D'Mello roads, thus clogging up the roads along the western coastline.
"The ongoing construction of the eastern freeway, King's Circle, Suman Nagar and Burfiwala (Andheri) flyovers, the monorail route between Jacob Circle and Chembur via Wadala, and the metro corridor between Versova and Ghatkopar have disrupted traffic in those areas," said a transportation expert.
"Now take the proposed Pedder Road flyover into consideration. The MSRDC has said that it will be constructed only during the night so that the impact on day-time and peak hour movement of traffic is minimal. But if the corporation wants to complete the Rs 200-crore project in the targeted 18 months, it can't limit the construction work to only the night.
"The pace of work will also be affected even if one lane on either side of the road is left open to traffic."
Clearly, the 18-month time limit is unrealistic. Urban planners say that flyovers smaller than the proposed Pedder Road one have taken a minimum of two years to be completed. They say that because of the complex network of underground utilities along Pedder Road and the prospect of litigation by residents and other opponents of the project, the work will stretch to at least three years, meaning traffic disruption for such a period of time.
"If the network of utilities like pipelines and cables is complicated and deep, then work on the flyover will certainly stretch to more than 30 months," said a town planning expert.
Recently, the traffic police submitted a vehicular diversion plan pertaining to the project to the MSRDC. They have proposed two routes for Churchgate- and CST-bound traffic; one via Mumbai Central for CST, and the other back to Pedder Road via Tardeo junction.
An urban infrastructure expert said the MSRDC would require 18 months just to raise the pillars for the flyover. Another 18 months will be needed to put up the girders and complete the over bridge.
But MSRDC managing director and vice-chairman Bipin Shrimali insisted that the corporation has prepared a plan according to which the flyover can be constructed within 18 months.
"We will put the construction work out to tender by May," he said. "The work will be carried out in such fashion during the night that people are not inconvenienced due to noise or subjected to traffic jams. We will also try to keep one lane open on either side of the road for the duration of the work."
An MSRDC official said that among those who stay along the road, "those who will be the most inconvenienced by the construction work may get special passes for their vehicles. They include, besides residents, those working at schools and other institutions".
Allaying the police's fears, he said the corporation would arrange for people to be deployed along the road to manage traffic. "A committee would be formed to monitor the construction work. The panel will also listen to the grievances of residents and will submit frequent reports to the state and the Centre."
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Mumbai on the edge: BEST driver, traffic cop fall prey to road rage
Two government servants became victims of road rage in two separate incidents that took place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In the first incident was reported from Powai on Tuesday morning when a BEST bus driver was allegedly assaulted by a biker and suffered injuries to his head.
The complainant, Mangesh Shetye, 25, was plying on route number 489 when the accused reportedly overtook the bus and intercepted it near the IIT bus stop at Powai.
The accused, Yogesh Khatri, stopped his scooter in front of the bus and started abusing Shetye. When the driver alighted from the bus to request Khatri to give way, a heated argument took place between the two, which eventually turned violent.
According to Shetye’s statement to the police, Khatri broke the bus’s front signal bar and hit him on the head with it.
Shetye approached the Powai police and registered a complaint against Khatri, who has been booked and arrested under several sections including those pertaining to deterring a government servant from discharging his duties and assault or use of criminal force on a public servant.
Khatri, who was being accompanied by his wife Varsha, 29, also approached the Powai police and registered a complaint against Shetye alleging that he was driving in a rash and negligent manner.
Varsha told the police that it was Shetye who hit Khatri with the signal bar and abused them. The police have registered a cross complaint and are investigating the case.
In another face-off that took place at Andheri on Wednesday, the MIDC police arrested two businessmen who allegedly assaulted a
traffic police constable after an argument over traffic jam at the spot.
According to the police, constable Ajit Pawar was manning the traffic at Pump House road when, at around 12.30pm, a tempo stalled in the middle of the road, which led to a traffic jam.
The road is a heavy traffic zone and Pawar asked the Andheri traffic chowky for a towing van.
Senior police inspector Deepak Bagwe of the MIDC police station said, “The accused, brothers Mahesh and Yogesh Jhunjhunwala, got out of their Wagon R car and approached Pawar. They asked him why he hadn’t fined the tempo driver and why he couldn’t manage the traffic. Pawar told them that he had called for a towing van, but duo kept arguing with him, and later pushed him around.”
Pawar informed the MIDC police and a police team was rushed to the spot which nabbed the two. They have been booked for assault of public servant and deterring a public servant from discharging his duties.
Mumbai businessmen arrested for assaulting traffic constable
Mumbai: Two businessmen were on Wednesday arrested for allegedly assaulting a traffic police constable following an argument during a traffic jam in suburban Andheri, police said.
The accused Mahesh and Yogesh Jhunjhunwala, brothers, were charged with interfering with the duty of a public servant and assaulting him, they said.
According to police, the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when Ajit Pawar, the traffic constable attached to Andheri traffic police division, was managing vehicular traffic on the Pump House Road.
A tempo's tyre got punctured on the road resulting in vehicular traffic pile-up, police said adding, Pawar asked a traffic police post to send a towing van to take away the tempo.
In the meantime, the two brothers alighted from their car and inquired about the reasons for the traffic jam.
As the constable narrated them about tempo incident, the duo suggested the cop to deflate the tyres to teach the driver a lesson. However, Pawar refused to do so and also prevented
the duo from doing the same when they began arguing with him and assaulted him.
The traffic constable subsequently approached nearby MIDC police station after which the two were arrested.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
McDonald’s India join hands with Mumbai Police
This is an extension of the traffic safety week held annually in the month of January
McDonald’s India, leaders in food retail has joined hands with the Mumbai Police to create awareness on traffic safety rules. McDonald’s as a socially responsible corporate will hold a 15-day road safety awareness programme starting January second week onwards to promote the traffic safety initiative by Mumbai Police.
This is an extension of the traffic safety week held annually in the month of January. The Traffic Safety programme is to ensure that the traffic decorum in Mumbai is regularized.
McDonald’s will run a campaign in benefit of the public, giving public traffic safety tips, encouraging them to observe a few traffic rules such as to follow speed limits, to wear seatbelts and helmets, to not jump signals etc. This activity would be supported by educative hoardings and kiosks with messages on traffic safety to reach the masses placed on roads, highways etc, across Mumbai.
The Safety Week is a 15 day campaign starting from January second week onwards. The campaign is another step for inculcating traffic discipline/adherence to Traffic Rules.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Mumbai will honour oldest driving licence holders
MUMBAI: They've seen the city gain dizzying height from their windscreens, watched towers rise from their rearview mirrors and heard the din of honking cars grow around them. Mumbai's oldest driving licence holders, whose wallets have housed the yellowing paper for more than six decades, will be felicitated on January 16 as part of the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA) and Mumbai Traffic Police's celebrations of 90 years of motoring.
Nitin Dossa, executive chairman of WIAA, describes these senior licence holders as chroniclers of the changing face of the city. That's clear when J M Ashar, an 87-year-old Sion resident and retired insurance officer, fondly remembers sepia-toned days when he took his first ride in a two-door English make Hillman in 1951. "Roads were wide and there were few cars in those days. It was a joy," says Ashar, lamenting the state of traffic now.
Pravin Nanavati, an 83-year-old retired stock broker, too would rather drive down memory lane instead of the choked streets of Mumbai during peak hours. "I drive now in the mornings only when the traffic is slow," he says, remembering how he would drive his father's Morris and then his own Padmini every morning through C P Tank, Chowpatty and Elphinstone on his way to Dalal Street.
According to the WIAA, the first car landed in India in 1898 and was driven by a municipal engineer called B H Hewitt. "At the turn of the twentieth century, three Oldsmobiles were imported for Jamsetji Tata, attorney Rustom Cama (the estranged husband of political revolutionary Madame Bikaji Cama) and Kavasji Wadia of Bombay Garage. "Within ten years of the first automobiles in Bombay, there were 1,025 cars zipping across the city," says Dossa and adds that the WIAA started as a social club for the elite. "But the concerns were the same then too. Much tarmac has been poured on the roads since, but issues like demand for better roads and affordable fuel remain."
Some other issues remain too, like the stereotype of the woman motorist. Indumati Merchant, one of the licence holders being felicitated, has been zipping up and down since 1949 before she was married. "I used to drive a Baby Fiat and I was so short that people could not see me behind the wheel. They would think the car was moving by itself," she says with a smile.
Nitin Dossa, executive chairman of WIAA, describes these senior licence holders as chroniclers of the changing face of the city. That's clear when J M Ashar, an 87-year-old Sion resident and retired insurance officer, fondly remembers sepia-toned days when he took his first ride in a two-door English make Hillman in 1951. "Roads were wide and there were few cars in those days. It was a joy," says Ashar, lamenting the state of traffic now.
Pravin Nanavati, an 83-year-old retired stock broker, too would rather drive down memory lane instead of the choked streets of Mumbai during peak hours. "I drive now in the mornings only when the traffic is slow," he says, remembering how he would drive his father's Morris and then his own Padmini every morning through C P Tank, Chowpatty and Elphinstone on his way to Dalal Street.
According to the WIAA, the first car landed in India in 1898 and was driven by a municipal engineer called B H Hewitt. "At the turn of the twentieth century, three Oldsmobiles were imported for Jamsetji Tata, attorney Rustom Cama (the estranged husband of political revolutionary Madame Bikaji Cama) and Kavasji Wadia of Bombay Garage. "Within ten years of the first automobiles in Bombay, there were 1,025 cars zipping across the city," says Dossa and adds that the WIAA started as a social club for the elite. "But the concerns were the same then too. Much tarmac has been poured on the roads since, but issues like demand for better roads and affordable fuel remain."
Some other issues remain too, like the stereotype of the woman motorist. Indumati Merchant, one of the licence holders being felicitated, has been zipping up and down since 1949 before she was married. "I used to drive a Baby Fiat and I was so short that people could not see me behind the wheel. They would think the car was moving by itself," she says with a smile.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Mumbai-Pune Expressway may become free of jams
Traffic jams on the Mumbai-Pune expressway may become a thing of the past, as commuters will soon be warned about accidents and other disruptions on a real-time basis before they enter the expressway.
“The highway police will install electronic display unit boards connected to the centralised highway control room so that they can be updated with real-time information. This will ensure commuters don’t get stranded in case of accidents on the expressway. The boards will be inaugurated by home minister RR Patil in a day or two,” a senior traffic department official said.
The boards will be placed at strategic locations as part of the road safety fortnight. They will help commuters take an alternative route and avoid the expressway in case of disruptions.
“The boards will be displayed at both ends of the expressway at various locations,” he said. “The intention is to keep motorists well-informed and assist them in making decisions about their travel. This will also lead to effective traffic management. A benefit of these boards is their high visibility, particularly during emergencies.”
The expressway, officially the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway, is India’s first six-lane concrete, high-speed, access-controlled, tolled expressway, covering 93km.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Deepal abused on busy Mumbai street
Deepal Shaw recently went through quite a nightmarish incident where she was attacked by a drunk man while driving back home .
It wasn't very late in the night and the road also had quite a lot of traffic when Deepal went through this horrifying incident.
She confirms, "It's true that the incident was a complete nightmare and it's rather unfortunate that it happened. I was on my way back from an event around 10 pm. This man was in a completely inebriated state I think, because as soon as he saw me approaching in my car towards him, he went ballistic and started calling out to me. He came near my car and started making really disgusting and lewd gestures and banging on my window to open to the door."
Deepal says she was shocked out of her wits. "I couldn't even get out from there as I was stuck in Juhu Galli and there is only a single road open to traffic with construction on both sides, so the road was completely jam packed. While I was trying to ignore what he was doing by looking the other way, I had forgotten that my car door was unlocked but fortunately I had the presence of mind to push the door open which hit him and he fell on the ground. There were construction workers on both sides, autowallahs, other car owners and drivers and no one even budged from their spots to help me and just stayed in their positions as onlookers to a carnival or something."
It wasn't very late in the night and the road also had quite a lot of traffic when Deepal went through this horrifying incident.
She confirms, "It's true that the incident was a complete nightmare and it's rather unfortunate that it happened. I was on my way back from an event around 10 pm. This man was in a completely inebriated state I think, because as soon as he saw me approaching in my car towards him, he went ballistic and started calling out to me. He came near my car and started making really disgusting and lewd gestures and banging on my window to open to the door."
Deepal says she was shocked out of her wits. "I couldn't even get out from there as I was stuck in Juhu Galli and there is only a single road open to traffic with construction on both sides, so the road was completely jam packed. While I was trying to ignore what he was doing by looking the other way, I had forgotten that my car door was unlocked but fortunately I had the presence of mind to push the door open which hit him and he fell on the ground. There were construction workers on both sides, autowallahs, other car owners and drivers and no one even budged from their spots to help me and just stayed in their positions as onlookers to a carnival or something."
Night traffic on New Year needs change: minister
Mumbai Minister of State for Home Satej Patil took a round of the city on the night of December 31, interacted with police personnel as well as citizens, and found a lot of traffic congestion. He has now decided to curb the movement of goods vehicles, which are usually allowed into the city roads only at night, from next new year’s eve onward.
He said, “I found that goods vehicles were adding to traffic congestion, especially on arterial roads in the suburbs as well as both the eastern and western express highways¿this was at a time when there were too many passenger vehicles.”
Pointing out that since goods vehicles were prohibited on city roads during the day, they were on the roads on Friday night as usual. “From next year, we need to change the traffic regulations for trucks and other goods carriers,” he said. “We can prohibit trucks during the night on the New Year’s eve¿We can allow goods vehicles to ply during the day on December 31 or January 1, when there are less private vehicles on the roads. This will reduce traffic when there are too many private vehicles on the roads on December 31.”
He further said that during his tour of police stations in the state, he had found women personnel did not have access to basic amenities. “The number of women working in the police force is increasing, but there are not enough toilets or changing rooms the police station,” he said, pointing out that it was necessary to have separate toilets and changing rooms for women in all police stations and offices.
He said, “I found that goods vehicles were adding to traffic congestion, especially on arterial roads in the suburbs as well as both the eastern and western express highways¿this was at a time when there were too many passenger vehicles.”
Pointing out that since goods vehicles were prohibited on city roads during the day, they were on the roads on Friday night as usual. “From next year, we need to change the traffic regulations for trucks and other goods carriers,” he said. “We can prohibit trucks during the night on the New Year’s eve¿We can allow goods vehicles to ply during the day on December 31 or January 1, when there are less private vehicles on the roads. This will reduce traffic when there are too many private vehicles on the roads on December 31.”
He further said that during his tour of police stations in the state, he had found women personnel did not have access to basic amenities. “The number of women working in the police force is increasing, but there are not enough toilets or changing rooms the police station,” he said, pointing out that it was necessary to have separate toilets and changing rooms for women in all police stations and offices.
Commuters in Mumbai to get welcome relief
Mumbai: The face of Mumbai is all set to change from 2011 onwards as a slew of ongoing transport projects like the metro and monorail will be completed whilst new ones will be launched giving a huge relief to commuters.
People are already getting tired of putting up with huge traffic snarls caused by hectic construction activity even as the existing lifeline of Mumbai — the suburban rail system and also the BEST bus service — are bursting at the seams.
The new projects will certainly help in not only reducing the pressure on the rail and bus services, but also reducing travel time.
Whilst the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning eight monorail corridors in the suburbs, the first phase of the 24.6 billion rupees (Dh2 billion) 19.54 kilometre monorail route from Chembur, a north-east suburb, to Wadala, is expected to be commissioned by May, provided some of the hurdles are overcome on time. This pilot project would be the first monorail in India.
As for the Metro Rail — that will serve areas not connected by the existing suburban railway and provide interchange facilities — nine corridors have been planned, with five of them partially underground and the rest elevated.
The first 11-kilometre Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar elevated metro rail line — connecting eastern and western suburbs as well as to Ghatkopar and Andheri stations — is likely to be completed by mid-2011. Once the metro is operational, travel time will be reduced from 71 minutes to 21 minutes.
With residents worried about the noise pollution along the metro routes, the MMRDA will erect sound barriers at special spots such as hospitals and schools. Additionally, completion of the Sahar Elevated Road by mid-2011 will be a big boon for travellers battling stress to reach the international airport on time.
Hectic stage
Meanwhile, the 22-kilometre Eastern Freeway — from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum in Colaba to the Eastern Express Highway near Ghatkopar — is expected to be completed by December 2011.
With the clearance obtained from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority to overrun the mangrove land, construction is presently at a hectic stage to complete the first phase of 12 km from the museum till Anik depot by June.
People are already getting tired of putting up with huge traffic snarls caused by hectic construction activity even as the existing lifeline of Mumbai — the suburban rail system and also the BEST bus service — are bursting at the seams.
The new projects will certainly help in not only reducing the pressure on the rail and bus services, but also reducing travel time.
Whilst the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning eight monorail corridors in the suburbs, the first phase of the 24.6 billion rupees (Dh2 billion) 19.54 kilometre monorail route from Chembur, a north-east suburb, to Wadala, is expected to be commissioned by May, provided some of the hurdles are overcome on time. This pilot project would be the first monorail in India.
As for the Metro Rail — that will serve areas not connected by the existing suburban railway and provide interchange facilities — nine corridors have been planned, with five of them partially underground and the rest elevated.
The first 11-kilometre Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar elevated metro rail line — connecting eastern and western suburbs as well as to Ghatkopar and Andheri stations — is likely to be completed by mid-2011. Once the metro is operational, travel time will be reduced from 71 minutes to 21 minutes.
With residents worried about the noise pollution along the metro routes, the MMRDA will erect sound barriers at special spots such as hospitals and schools. Additionally, completion of the Sahar Elevated Road by mid-2011 will be a big boon for travellers battling stress to reach the international airport on time.
Hectic stage
Meanwhile, the 22-kilometre Eastern Freeway — from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum in Colaba to the Eastern Express Highway near Ghatkopar — is expected to be completed by December 2011.
With the clearance obtained from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority to overrun the mangrove land, construction is presently at a hectic stage to complete the first phase of 12 km from the museum till Anik depot by June.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Mumbai: Drunk biker assaults traffic cop
Mumbai: Sub-inspector, traffic, Maruti Namdev Zende sustained injuries when he was attacked by a motorist while on duty at 12.05 am on Saturday morning at Chembur. The incident occurred as the traffic police conducted their routine nakabandi duty at Ashish cinema junction in Chembur.
Zende, 54, tried to stop a motorbike as it was speeding recklessly. After ignoring Zende's instruction to pull over, the bike sped towards the sub-inspector and the pillion rider hit him. The vehicle was registered to the number plate MH01-5123.
Shankar Pagare, police sub-inspector belonging to Rastriya Chemical Fertilizer (RCF) police station said, "Zende was knocked down by a bike while attempting to stop the bikers from reckless driving."
The RCF police have arrested the accused, identified as Sumant Bhise and R Satpute under section 279 and 337 of Indian Penal Code. The accused are Chembur residents. On medical examination, they were found to be under the influence of alcohol. Zende was rushed to the nearby Shatabdi Hospital where he was declared out of danger. Later he was shifted to Wockhardt Hospital, Mulund. Zende's left leg has been fractured. Both the accused are out on bail.
Zende, 54, tried to stop a motorbike as it was speeding recklessly. After ignoring Zende's instruction to pull over, the bike sped towards the sub-inspector and the pillion rider hit him. The vehicle was registered to the number plate MH01-5123.
Shankar Pagare, police sub-inspector belonging to Rastriya Chemical Fertilizer (RCF) police station said, "Zende was knocked down by a bike while attempting to stop the bikers from reckless driving."
The RCF police have arrested the accused, identified as Sumant Bhise and R Satpute under section 279 and 337 of Indian Penal Code. The accused are Chembur residents. On medical examination, they were found to be under the influence of alcohol. Zende was rushed to the nearby Shatabdi Hospital where he was declared out of danger. Later he was shifted to Wockhardt Hospital, Mulund. Zende's left leg has been fractured. Both the accused are out on bail.
BEST's worst months
Breakdowns, maintenance issues, customer complaints plagued authorities from September to November last year
A recent traffic police survey has left the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) authorities scrambling for some answers.
According to the three-month long survey conducted by the Mumbai traffic cops that concluded last November, 800 out of BEST's fleet of 4,700 buses have broken down while plying, from September to November 2010.
The city transport authority will form a panel, comprising three committee members, three engineers from the technical department, and the general manager of BEST, Om Prakash Gupta, on board to examine the cause of these breakdowns said Dilip Patel, a BEST committee member.
Admitting that the buses were in bad shape, Gupta said, "We will find out the reason and sort out the issue."
On an average, every month 100 buses break down on the city roads. There have even been situations when passengers have had to push the bus. "On any given day, about five to 10 per cent of the buses break down.
There are many lying unused at the depots," revealed a senior BEST official.
"The buses have not been maintained properly due to a shortage of engineering staff," offered Sunil Ganacharya, a BEST committee member, by way of explanation.
Commuters meanwhile are fuming at the inconvenience being caused. Nikita Rai, a 27 year-old medical representative, who has been travelling in BEST buses for the past seven years said, "There was a time when we could count on BEST to reach on time. But now, the situation is terrible. I can't trust the buses to reach on time, and in the past two years, I have been left in the lurch several times because of breakdowns."
Numbers: 4,700
Total number of BEST buses in the city: 800
The number of buses that have broken down between September and November 2010
A recent traffic police survey has left the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) authorities scrambling for some answers.
According to the three-month long survey conducted by the Mumbai traffic cops that concluded last November, 800 out of BEST's fleet of 4,700 buses have broken down while plying, from September to November 2010.
The city transport authority will form a panel, comprising three committee members, three engineers from the technical department, and the general manager of BEST, Om Prakash Gupta, on board to examine the cause of these breakdowns said Dilip Patel, a BEST committee member.
Admitting that the buses were in bad shape, Gupta said, "We will find out the reason and sort out the issue."
On an average, every month 100 buses break down on the city roads. There have even been situations when passengers have had to push the bus. "On any given day, about five to 10 per cent of the buses break down.
There are many lying unused at the depots," revealed a senior BEST official.
"The buses have not been maintained properly due to a shortage of engineering staff," offered Sunil Ganacharya, a BEST committee member, by way of explanation.
Commuters meanwhile are fuming at the inconvenience being caused. Nikita Rai, a 27 year-old medical representative, who has been travelling in BEST buses for the past seven years said, "There was a time when we could count on BEST to reach on time. But now, the situation is terrible. I can't trust the buses to reach on time, and in the past two years, I have been left in the lurch several times because of breakdowns."
Numbers: 4,700
Total number of BEST buses in the city: 800
The number of buses that have broken down between September and November 2010
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