Due to MMRDA’s latest Metro construction target, a 1-km stretch between MG Road signal and Hypercity junction has no streetlights
A dark New Link Road in Goregaon, where the street lights on the divider have been removed to facilitate construction work of the Dahisar-DN Nagar Metro, while those installed on either side are yet to be made operational. Pic/Sneha Kharabe
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Complete darkness on a 1-km stretch of the New Link Road, between MG Road signal and Hypercity junction, reveals yet another instance of lack of planning and coordination on the part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Before starting the Dahisar-DN Nagar Metro construction work, the streetlights on the road’s divider were removed.
But as promised, the lights installed on both the sides of the road have not been made operational yet, even though Metro work is going on in full swing. So, motorists are having a tough time travelling on the route, as they have to make way through complete darkness.
The traffic situation on the New Link Road has turned from bad to worse, especially due to the ongoing Metro construction work and the absence of streetlights on the stretch. While the MMRDA has been promising that commuters travelling on the stretch would not face any problems, the execution portrays a different picture altogether.
Commuters inconvenienced
Travelling on the New Link Road, commuters find that though the stretch has been barricaded on both the sides, the remaining portion lies neglected. The barricaded area has proper lights, but there are none on the road.
What is shocking is that before starting the work, the streetlights on the median were removed and similar ones were placed on both sides, which are yet to be made operational. As a result, people who use the stretch drive through complete darkness. A number of junctions on the stretch make it all the more risky for motorists.
Ganesh M, a Malad resident who uses the stretch frequently said, “I don’t understand how MMRDA started the metro construction work without making the streetlights operational. Accidents might take place due to complete darkness. Does MMRDA understand the seriousness of the situation?”
MMRDA speaks
MMRDA joint project director Dilip Kawathkar said, “We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to people. I will ask the concerned officer to look into the matter and solve the problem at the earliest.”