18 November,2011 07:50 AM IST | | Shashank Rao
Traffic, transport and MMRDA officials pick Kalanagar, Vakola and airport intersections for pilot project to restructure traffic management; Haji Ali, Suman Nagar to follow
In an effort to streamline the flow of traffic at the bustling intersections in the city, the Mumbai Traffic Police along with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and transport experts are preparing a traffic management plan to minimise congestion.
As a pilot project, authorities have identified three of the busiest road junctions on the Western Express Highway (WEH)u00a0-- Kalanagar, Vakola and domestic airport terminalu00a0-- to rationalise vehicular traffic, make changes in the pattern of the actual road, and provide more scope for vehicles to move efficiently. A detailed study of these three has been made. If the plan is successful here, it would be replicated at Haji Ali and Suman Nagar junctions as well. "We intend to bring about smaller but vital changes at these junctions like putting proper markings and signage, removing unnecessary obstructions and monitoring traffic movement through CCTVs," said Ashok Datar, transport expert who conducted this study.
The CCTVs would help monitor traffic offenders and jaywalkers. Authorities are relying on the surveillance cameras to not only identify the vehicle and its number plates but even the driver's face. Once this is ready, they can immediately identify the culprit and book him.
These ideas, Datar claims, are less expensive and easy to implement. Each makeover would cost the authorities
Rs 1.5-2 crore per junction.
"The traffic signals at the junction need to be adjusted in a way that it gives ample scope for vehicles going to the airport," said an MMRDA official.
Vivek Phansalkar, joint commissioner (traffic), said, "We are looking at making some changes at these junctions."
If the pilot project at these three junctions is successful, it would be extended to Suman Nagar junction at Sion and Haji Ali junction that leads to the island city.
Auto-count
The number of vehicles that cross the busy junctions in every direction (per hour) during peak rush hours
5,000
Vakola junction
6,500
Kalanagar intersection
6,000
Suman Nagar junction
8,000
Haji Ali junction
