Mumbai: Mid-Day report helps tackle traffic congestion in Dadar

Four cement dividers plug a gap outside on Senapati Bapat Marg in Dadar. Pic/Ashish Raje

To reduce traffic congestion on Senapati Bapat Marg, the Mumbai Traffic Police's Dadar division and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have blocked 14 out of 18 gaps used by motorists and two-wheeler riders to make U-turns on the 3.2-km stretch between Matunga and Prabhadevi.

Large cement dividers now fill the 14 spaces, and police officers claim the move will help reduce congestion by 90 per cent. The initiative to block these gaps was led by Senior Inspector Kanhaiyalal Shinde of the Dadar Traffic Division. The traffic police also eliminated several gaps in front of the BMC's sewerage operations administrative office, located along this route at Dadar.

Senior Inspector Kanhaiyalal Shinde, who took the initiative to block the gaps

On Sunday, mid-day observed that commuters are now making U-turns at the Kavi Keshavsut Flyover, located just outside Dadar railway station, leading to increased congestion at that spot. In November, this newspaper reported on how people were taking U-turns outside the Dadar railway station, causing many accidents and leading to heavy traffic between Matunga and Prabhadevi on Senapati Bapat Marg during peak hours.

Senior Inspector Shinde said, "Earlier, there were 18 gaps, leading to traffic congestion on this stretch. Under the guidance of Joint CP Anil Kumbhare, Additional CP Priyanka Narnavare, and DCP Samadhan Pawar, we decided to close most of the spots where people were making U-turns. We blocked off all the gaps, leaving only four crossings, which are essential for vehicles entering vegetable markets, heading towards Siddhivinayak Temple, Ruparel College and Gokhale Chowk."

He added, "Dadar railway station is a major junction connecting the central and harbour lines. Much of the traffic congestion occurs around Dadar railway station. There were gaps along this stretch that were unnecessary, and vehicles were making U-turns at these points. Now, Senapati Bapat Marg is traffic-free, saving fuel and time for commuters. Earlier, people would be stuck in traffic for 20-25 minutes. But now they can cross the stretch in just five to seven minutes. The BMC has helped us by providing the large cement dividers, which we installed."

Spots where gaps are gone

BMC's Dadar Flower Market (Meenatai Thackeray Flower Market)

The Meenatai Thackeray Flower Market in Dadar where flower-bearing trucks would frequently make U-turns

The traffic police closed this gap after finding that most trucks supplying flowers were taking U-turns after the Prabhadevi bridge, exacerbating traffic congestion. However, after closing this gap, trucks are now making U-turns far beyond this point.

Madhani Industrial Estate

A plugged-up spot on outside Madhani Industrial Estate in Dadar

This location used to witness many goods-carrying vehicles making U-turns, leading to significant congestion.

BMC's sewerage operations administrative office

New cement dividers plug gaps outside the BMC's sewerage operations administrative office on Senapati Bapat Marg in Dadar. Pics/Ashish Raje

There were four gaps within a 20-metre stretch near this landmark, and civic body vehicles would use them to execute U-turns. After holding discussions with the BMC, the traffic cops decided to close these gaps, as they were deemed unnecessary, to ease traffic flow.

Kohinoor Technical Institute main gate

The divider opposite the main gate of Dadar's Kohinoor Technical Institute where multiple gaps have been filled. Pics/Ashish Raje

The traffic police, with the help of the BMC, also closed multiple gaps near this location.

Manish Market

Vehicles make U-turns on the flyover as they couldn't do so at Manish Market

There were multiple gaps here, at the starting point of the Kavi Keshavsut flyover outside Dadar railway station, and this spot would see the highest number of private cars, taxis, and trucks making U-turns. With large cement dividers now filling these gaps, pedestrians are also avoiding crossing the road and are using the underpass to reach the station.

Dadar Platform No. 1

The busy area outside platform 1 of Dadar railway station

Many cabs, taxis and private vehicles would make U-turns after dropping passengers at this point near the Kavi Keshavsut Flyover and platform number 1 of Dadar railway station. However, even with dividers in place, on Sunday, vehicles could still be seen making U-turns on the bridge, creating congestion and potentially endangering lives. One divider has been left open at the spot for pedestrians to cross the road.

Spots where one can still make U-turns

>> Baburao Parulekar Marg Junction Crossing
>> Kohinoor Technical Institute
>> Dadar vegetable market
>> Janta Market

Existing signals

Vidhyadhar Gokhale Chowk
This is a main junction connecting Bal Govindas Road to Shiv Sena Bhavan, Shivaji Park and other routes. The U-turn here remains open. The traffic police, however, have filled three gaps after this signal.

DG Ruparel College of Arts, Science, and Commerce
This junction has a signal and a gap for vehicles to make U-turns. Although the BMC had proposed to construct a foot overbridge connecting the spot to Dadar railway station for the benefit of students, it has not been built.