After Dadar, Matunga, and Bandra, residents of Worli and Breach Candy have spoken up about two-wheelers being ridden on footpaths, endangering the lives of pedestrians. The Worli Residents Association has written to the Mumbai Traffic Police commissioner, listing six demands, including dedicated enforcement drives against two-wheelers flouting traffic rules, special attention to congested areas during peak hours, an increase in penalties for offences such as riding on the footpath and wrong side driving such as impounding vehicles and imposing hefty spot fines, special deployment of ward-level marshals to patrol such areas, and preventing footpaths from being used as vehicular traffic lanes during peak hours.
A congested spot in Worli on June 11, 2024. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Residents of Worli and Breach Candy, under the leadership of the Worli Residents Association, wrote a letter to the traffic police on Tuesday morning. It reads, “Many riders flout traffic rules, and it has become a nightmare for citizens. Some of the major issues we face daily are two-wheeler riders jumping traffic signals, entering ‘No Entry’ zones, riding on footpaths and endangering pedestrians.” The letter further reads, “This has created a dangerous situation, where two-wheeler riders behave as though traffic laws do not apply to them.”
The residents have demanded that CCTVs be upgraded so they can capture high-resolution images of number plates, dedicated enforcement drives, surprise inspections at crucial junctions, heavier penalties, awareness campaigns, more street infrastructure on footpaths to safeguard pedestrians, and a dedicated helpline for complaints Viren Shah, a member of the Worli Residents Association, said, “Residents have repeatedly raised concerns with the Mumbai Traffic Police and BMC, especially since the construction of the Mumbai Coastal Road. Specific areas in South Mumbai see heavy traffic due to the Coastal Road exits. We have been assured strict action, but little has changed.”
A biker uses a footpath to cut through traffic in Dadar East on September 22. PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE
Mukul Mehra, a member of the Nepean Sea Road Citizens’ Forum, said, “Two-wheeler riders zooming on footpaths is a blatant violation of traffic rules. It doesn’t happen because they are unaware of the rules; it’s because they know they can get away with it. This is about basic civic sense, and does not extend to bikers alone. When bikers use footpaths, pedestrians are forced to take to the carriageway, which is also used for illegal parking, leading to traffic congestion. This, in turn, prompts bikers to use footpaths. We need to take a holistic look at the problem.” Mehra pointed out that the junction at St Stephen’s Church in Cumbala Hill sees bikers zooming on footpaths to cut through congested traffic signals.
Middle ground
Indrani Malkani, a resident of Malabar Hill and founder of VCAN, an initiative where citizens work with authorities to resolve civic issues equitably, said, “This is a chronic problem across Mumbai, and it needs a wholesome solution. There is no doubt that taking strict action against offenders will act as a deterrent. But is it feasible to have traffic marshals in large numbers at every nook and corner in the city?” While residents have demanded that traffic police intervene more to book offenders, Malkani pointed out that the solution can also rest in collaborations with housing societies to install CCTV cameras, train volunteers to serve as traffic marshals.”
What authorities say
Anil Kumbhare, joint commissioner of police, traffic, told mid-day on Thursday, “We have been taking strict action against errant two-wheeler riders and issues are being resolved on priority. There are plans in the pipeline to take proactive measures and address citizens’ complaints.” A senior traffic police officer said, “We took serious action against offenders in Dadar and Matunga in the wake of residents’ complaints. There are fewer incidents in these areas, though we cannot claim the problem has been entirely solved.”
