29 January,2014 07:47 AM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
Two roads from the Bandra Government Colony and Bandra Terminus to the WEH will be closed for traffic; closure will force locals to take a 900-metre detour to reach the highway
Commuting woes of motorists getting stuck in ugly traffic jams on the Western Express Highway (WEH) near Kherwadi junction owing to the ongoing construction work of the flyover can be resolved, provided residents and local politicians cooperate.
The ongoing construction work of the Kherwadi flyover has resulted in ugly traffic jams on the Western Express Highway. Pic/Shadab Khan
Officials of the traffic police department have plans to meet local leaders once again and convince them to allow banning vehicles coming from the Bandra Government Colony side and Bandra Terminus towards WEH. Though the solution may decongest the WEH, it will force locals to take a detour of 900 metres to reach the highway.
At present, jams as long as a kilometre are seen on the southbound stretch of the WEH where the construction work is on. This also takes a toll on emergency services like ambulances and fire brigade.
'No option'
Speaking to MiD DAY, a senior traffic inspector said, "The only way to solve the traffic issue is by closing the two roads (one coming from Bandra Government Colony and other from Bandra Terminus). But if this has to be done, then we will have to divert the in coming traffic from these two roads via the Kalanagar junction. We've already met the local representatives from various political parties from Kherwadi, including the local MLA. The final decision will be taken after another meeting, which will be happening soon."
Sources claimed the traffic police faced stiff opposition from local politicians, who are against the idea of closing the roads. During the recently held meeting between the traffic police and politicians, the latter told the police that they would first have to speak with the locals and ensure that the decision to close the road does not inconvenience them.
