14 July,2023 07:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
The blind spot where a CCTV is now installed
A 36-year-old man alerted the police and wrote a letter requesting the installation of CCTV cameras at a dark spot on the flyover on the Western Express Highway, opposite Sahara Star hotel, after his cousin, a professional sailor, lost his life in a hit-and-run accident. After three months, with the help of NGOs, the Vile Parle police have finally begun installing CCTV cameras on both ends of the bridge.
Police sources reveal that this location, outside the Sahara Star hotel in Vile Parle, is one of the major accident-prone areas on the Western Express Highway, as motorists rushing to the airport often engage in lane-cutting. To ensure the safety of motorists and prevent accidents, traffic cops also monitor the area during peak hours.
A picture of Mayur Patil in a social media post after his death
A traffic constable said, "We stand at this point daily during peak hours to prevent accidents. The beginning of the bridge is particularly hazardous, as this highway is heavily congested with daily commuters and thousands of vehicles heading to the airport. Motorists often try to speed on the bridge, which leads to accidents. Additionally, passengers often pressure auto and taxi drivers to accelerate to ensure timely arrival at the airport." Recently, two individuals lost their lives in hit-and-run cases at this bridge. Despite reviewing several CCTV cameras footage, police have been unable to identify the culprits.
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Milind Patil, the cousin of the deceased, Mayur, said, "I lost my brother in this accident. He was on his way to attend a relative's engagement on his bike, and an unknown car hit him and crushed him on the bridge. The police reviewed several CCTV cameras but found no evidence due to the lack of proper coverage. They also informed me that numerous accidents have occurred at this location, resulting in fatalities."
Milind Patil, cousin of the victim
"Realising the urgency of the situation, I wrote a letter to the police requesting the installation of CCTV cameras at this spot. I want those responsible for any future accidents to be apprehended. I made extensive efforts to find my brother's killer by visiting various shops along the Western Express Highway, but I found no leads. I also spoke to PSI Dnyandev Palve of Vile Parle police station, who showed me the limited coverage of the existing CCTV cameras. PSI Palve confirmed that this location is known for accidents," said Milind Patil. In response to the request, the Vile Parle police collaborated with NGOs and began installing CCTV cameras at the designated spots.
On April 23, 38-year-old Mayur Patil was heading to Lower Parel to attend a relative's engagement ceremony when he met with an accident on the bridge in Vile Parle. Patil had sent his wife Shamika and children Varun, 10, and Reeva, 2, on a train while he chose to ride his bike. Unfortunately, an unknown car hit him on the bridge and the driver fled the scene. Local residents rushed him to Cooper Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On October 27 last year, Kashinath Maske, a beggar, lost his life in a hit-and-run case after being crushed by an unknown vehicle on the bridge.
Given that the junction is heavily congested, with thousands of motorists travelling to the airport daily, the installation of CCTV cameras aims to enhance surveillance and security on the bridge, which has become a hotspot for accidents. These newly installed cameras will effectively monitor traffic and identify potential hit-and-run incidents or other illegal activities. By employing high-definition CCTV cameras, the police hope to discourage potential offenders and collect crucial evidence in case of any untoward incidents. This proactive step taken by the police and the NGO demonstrates their commitment to ensuring public safety and reducing accidents on the bridge.
PSI Dnyandev Palve of Vile Parle police station said, "This is a dark spot where many accidents took place in the past. There were no CCTV cameras at this spot, due to which we didn't get any clue about the accused. Recently, sailor Mayur Patil lost his life at this bridge, and as there were no CCTV cameras, we didn't find the accused. His brother also wrote to us asking us to install CCTV cameras. We are beginning to install CCTV cameras at this spot."
