30 August,2023 08:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer Surve
A huge speed breaker at Link Road, off Link View Hotel at Borivli West. Pic/Nimesh Dave
Many motorists and bikers insist that most speed breakers in Mumbai and the suburbs are badly constructed. Many speed breakers in Mumbai that deviate from proper design standards, not only pose a risk to drivers, passengers and riders, but also damage their vehicles. A significant concern arises as most speed breakers are not visible at nights and in rainy conditions, as most are unmarked.
Motorists and two-wheeler riders have been demanding that this issue be addressed by incorporating reflective materials and ensuring adherence to specified design guidelines. While transport and health experts point to the seriousness of the damaged and unplanned breakers, BMC officials claimed that they consider local opinion before building up speed breakers and address the issue after discussing it with the traffic police.
The four speed breakers here are in broken condition. It is a major traffic road and carries heavy vehicles including BEST buses. There is also a rush of pedestrians as a market is near. There have been instances here of two-wheeler riders slipping over the speed breakers. Riyaz Vazir Mulla, a resident of Kurla, who rides a bike, said, "There are no proper markings on the speed breakers. So at night they become more dangerous. Speed breakers can also be the cause of back pain for many bikers. I also suffer from it sometimes."
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There are nine speed breakers in a 450 metres distance on Boman Kawasji Boman Beharam Marg here. The speed breakers on J A Allana Road and Henry Road are damaged. Ajay Multani, a resident of Colaba, said, "We need speed breakers as there is rash and speedy driving, mostly by bikers. But they should be made by proper specification and marked so they are visible even at night. Right now some of the speed breakers here are huge and they create trouble for cars."
A speed breaker at Don Bosco High School in front of the Fire Department at Borivli West is very high. While it may have been built by the BMC to reduce the traffic flow, there is already a signal here. "The breaker is so high that the vehicles have to slow down. But due to signal the traffic flow is already reduced significantly," said Shreyas Shinde, a commuter. Another commuter said, "The other day I saw this speed breaker scrape a car."
There are three speed breakers within a 100 metre stretch near Sathaye college in Vile Parle East. They don't have markings and are invisible to drivers. There is also no signboard about them. Pawan Mandal, a rickshaw driver said, "Sometimes we just don't understand the purpose of so many speed breakers on one small stretch. It forces vehicles to suddenly stop due to no markings and also causes injuries."
A BMC official said sometimes locals suggest speed breakers. "But before putting up speed breakers we take suggestions from traffic police. If they suggest so, we put up speed breakers. Speed breakers are mostly made at ward level," he said.
"Speed bumps should be safe for motorists. They should adhere to Indian Road Congress specifications. On all major roads, we adhere to IRC specifications. Deviations, if any, should be pointed out and will be looked into by the Roads Department," said P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner.
The design and specifications of speed breakers are declared by the Ministry of Road Transport. "Speed breakers should be designed so pedestrians, vehicles and people in vehicles will not suffer," said former president of the Indian Road Congress, C P Joshi.
Transport expert A V Shenoy said most of the time speed breakers are made at the suggestion of local politicians. "The authorities don't follow guidelines for speed breakers. Also, there should be a specific distance between two-speed breakers. There should at least be a 300-meter distance between two speed breakers. Guidelines should be followed while making speed breakers. Also, the authority should think whether the speed breakers are really needed at the place," Shenoy said.
Civic activist Kamlakar Shenoy said 95 per cent of the time speed breakers are built with the suggestion of a local MP, MLA, and corporator. He alleged the authority doesn't do any technical study before building a speed breaker. Shenoy said no rules are followed in Mumbai for making speed breakers which are now a problem. He also claimed most of the speed breakers are illegal.
Dr Pramod Bhor, director of Orthopaedics and Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, Vashi, said, "Speed breakers, though intended to enhance road safety, can have unintended effects on the spine and bones. Sudden jolts from passing over them can lead to stress on the spinal column, potentially causing discomfort, pain, or exacerbating existing conditions like herniated discs. Moreover, repeated exposure to these jolts can contribute to long-term issues such as spinal misalignment or joint problems. Proper road design and cautious driving are crucial to minimise the impact."
- Inputs by Prasun Choudhari
