Mumbai: ‘Why these barricades? Build subways’

The barricades will cover the stretch from NCPA to the Princess Street flyover. Pics/Ashish Raje

The BMC has started installing barricades on medians at Marine Drive to stop pedestrians from crossing the road. Though the civic body said the decision to install the barriers was taken following requests from the Marine Drive traffic division and a residents' association, the latter is not happy with the installation. The association said the barricades won't serve the purpose and instead, will restrict the view.

mid-day had done a series in February on the BMC's beautification that involved working with dividers, actually causing issues for pedestrians. The BMC had floated a tender worth Rs 82 lakh to install barricades on Marine Drive and the installation work has started near Kilachand Chowk. The barricades will cover the stretch right from NCPA to the Princess Street flyover.

Attempt to stop crossing

The move is an attempt to restrict pedestrians who cross the median amid busy traffic and the stretch has become accident-prone. The Marine Drive traffic division also carried out a survey and suggested measures to prevent accidents. The Marine Drive Citizens' Association had written several times to the BMC on the matter, but after the installation work started, it expressed displeasure that it was not the best way to tackle the issue.

"We have been writing to the BMC for at least five years since they reconstructed the road. We requested them to increase the cement median by one more foot so pedestrians won't be able to climb on it. But they didn't do so. These barricades will restrict the view, besides they will not serve the purpose as people will find a gap between them to cross the road," said Ashok Gupta, president of Marine Drive Citizens' Association. He added that the stretch is too long and people don't know where they will get an opening to cross the road. So the civic body also has to see things from their point of view and keep opening subways to cross the road instead of just closing all the accesses.

The Marine Drive traffic division had carried out a survey and suggested measures to prevent accidents. Pic/Ashish Raje

‘Won't help much'

Another resident said the BMC installed the same barricades at Girgaon and people cross from the spaces between them. This could happen here which will be more dangerous.

"Marine Drive is a scenic and popular tourist spot. The BMC needs to invest in high quality subways every 200 meters. If so much money can be spent on roads then why not on needs of pedestrians?" said Rishi Agrawal, an environmental activist. "The installation is going on slowly due to heavy rain. But the completion period is four months and it will be completed soon. The barricades are like those at Girgaon Chowpatty and as per the set standards," said a BMC official.

Rs 82L
Cost of installing barricades on Marine Drive