Mumbai: SoBo gets tiled dividers, but what about gaps, ask locals

Work on to replace the old flat dividers with the tall ones near Nana Chowk. Pic/Satej Shinde

The BMC has started upgrading road dividers under its beautification project, but there seems to be no uniformity. While at some places in south Mumbai, the dividers are beautified with tiles, that was not the case for the western suburbs. Meanwhile, pedestrians are demanding signals to facilitate crossing through the gaps in dividers. mid-day, for the second of its three-part series, visited several locations in SoBo to assess the ongoing work and also spoke to an expert about the plants being placed in the median strip.

Tall dividers are being placed near Nana Chowk as part of Mumbai Beautification Project. Pic/Satej Shinde

As part of its test drive, a mid-day team travelled to Tardeo, Nana Chowk, Marine Drive, Pedder Road, Girgaon Chowpatty and Breach Candy among other popular locations in south Mumbai. During the drive, it was noticed that old flat dividers, which were in good shape, are also being replaced with new ones. One of the major differences in terms of the beautification drive was that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was using tiles in south Mumbai, whereas mid-day found no such tiling while travelling the western suburbs to check on the beautification work.

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Tardeo junction to Nana Chowk

Work on to install tall dividers at Tardeo junction. Pic/Satej Shinde

As the team started their journey from Tardeo junction, it was noticed that divider replacing work was on. Further on the route near Bhatia Hospital, workers were using tiles on the dividers. However, many of these tiles were dirty with gutka and pan stains. It was also noticed that this stretch had gaps at regular intervals to make way for pedestrians to cross the road. Ameen Khan, a local resident, said, "It is a good move by the BMC to beautify the city, but why are they removing medians which are in good condition? It is a sheer waste of money. In addition, they are also placing tiles on the new dividers, but who will ensure that they remain clean?"

Cumballa Hill Lane

The work to install new dividers and tiles was completed on Cumballa Hill Lane opposite Doongerwadi. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

At Cumballa Hill Lane opposite Doongerwadi, the correspondent noticed that new vertical dividers were placed and tiling work was also done. However, there was a lack of a gap for pedestrian crossing in the middle of the road with one such gap placed just before the signal. Akash, a local, said, "The elderly are facing problems while crossing the road due to the tall dividers. The authorities should keep gaps at a certain distance so pedestrians can cross the road."

Mahalaxmi station to KK Marg

On KK Marg from Mahalaxmi railway station to Haji Ali junction through KK Marg, there was space for pedestrians to cross the road. Vertical dividers started right from SRCC Hospital and went almost up to the Haji Ali junction. The mid-day team spotted a few people jumping over the tall dividers.

Babulnath temple to Marine drive

Temporary dividers placed near Girgaon. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

On the stretch from Babulnath Temple to Marine Drive, workers were seen carrying out tiling work. Apart from the gaps at the signals, there were no other gaps to facilitate pedestrian crossing on this stretch. However, from Charni Road to Marine Lines, where work for the Coastal Road is on, authorities have placed temporary dividers and have also kept ample space for crossing the road.