Banned for two-wheelers, but who cares: Riders violate rules despite presence of traffic cops

mid-day visited four bridges, entry to which is shut for two-wheelers, and saw riders, including cops, break the rules despite presence of traffic policemen

For smooth movement of traffic, flyovers were erected across the city, but then, two-wheelers were banned on a few owing to frequent accidents. However, riders blatantly violate the rules, and in most cases, despite the presence of traffic police personnel. mid-day visited Eastern Freeway, JJ flyover, BKC Connector and newly opened Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR) and spotted riders on all of them.

JJ flyover

The 2.4-km Makhdoom Ali Mahimi Flyover, widely known as JJ flyover, was opened for citizens on May 1 2002, but two-wheelers were banned on it in 2010. A special enforcement was then deployed at both the ends of the flyover. Still, riders, including police personnel, blatantly take the flyover.

A biker on the Eastern Freeway, near Deonar circle, on Monday

mid-day saw a police barricade to keep an eye on riders, but it didn’t prevent their entry. Many riders, including police personnel, were seen on the bridge. A traffic police officer on duty at one end of the JJ flyover said, “It’s impossible to stop bikers when they come in full speed. We inform our counterpart on the other end, and we try to take as much action as possible, but it doesn’t always happen.” Assistant Police Inspector Sampat Chemte told mid-day, “Riders hardly take this bridge as everyone knows there is enforcement. But we take action against those who do violate the rule.”

Eastern Freeway

Residents at Jijamata Nagar, Rawali Camp, Wadala TT and Antop Hill were spotted taking the 16.8-km freeway, on which entry of two-wheelers has been prohibited. Many even managed to escape police action. The stretch between Shivaji Nagar and Deonar is used as a racing track.

A traffic cop stops a scooter rider on the BKC Connector

“A couple of exits on Eastern Freeway give escape routes to riders. Daily, we are penalising 30 to 40 riders on both ways. Despite clear instructions, they take this route, endangering their and others’ life,” said Inspector Suneel Rasal, in charge, Trombay Traffic Division.

BKC Connector

The 1.6-km bridge connecting Chunabhatti with BKC was opened in November 2019, and two-wheelers were banned from Day 1. The traffic police had then said they will do a study to assess if bikes and autos can be allowed, but nothing has happened as yet. Traffic police do not stop the riders on the Sion-Panvel Highway end of the bridge, as it may cause accidents. But, personnel are deployed on the BKC end. mid-day noticed two-three riders entering the bridge during rush hour, making it difficult for cops to take action. “We penalise at least 50 riders daily after stopping them at BKC-end, as it’s impossible to stop them once they are on the bridge,” said Inspector Sunil Yadav, in charge, BKC Traffic Division.

GMLR

The newly opened flyover ran into controversy due to frequent accidents. Since September, two-wheelers have been banned on it.

On Monday, mid-day observed consistent movement of riders on Monday, despite police presence.

When mid-day spoke to some riders, they said banning two-wheelers on the flyover was illogical.

“We are using enforcement to penalise riders daily, but they won’t budge. We are trying to increase the action,” Inspector Baliram Dhas, in-charge, Mankhurd Traffic Division.

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