Nothing to stop bikers zipping on JJ at night

Despite ban on two-wheelers from using the flyover, MiD DAY witnessed 52 bikers race through it

Nothing to stop bikers zipping on JJ at night

Despite ban on two-wheelers from using the flyover, MiD DAY witnessed 52 bikers race through it

The decision of the Mumbai Traffic Police to bar two-wheelers from riding on the JJ Flyover has failed to deter eager bikers from speeding on it when nobody's watching.

They use the bridge during nighttime in the absence of traffic cops.

A total of 52 bikers zipped along the flyover between 12.30 am and 1 am last night

A MiD DAY reporter stood on the nine-year-old flyover betwen 12.30 am until 1 am to see if the rule was being followed.

A total of 52 bikers zipped along the 2.5 km bridge, which connects Ambedkar Road and south Mumbai. There were no traffic policemen present at the bridge to stop or fine them.

In fact, there was a group of bikers that was racing on the flyover. The breach may seem inconsequential.

But considering the continual terror alert the city is on, particularly during the Cricket World Cup, it may pose a security problem.

During daytime, traffic policemen block both ends of the flyover, directing two-wheelers under it. But in the night, there are no arrangements to prevent them, say residents.

Tahir Baig, a resident of Mohammad Ali Road, midway along the flyover, said, "During the day, the bikers are stopped by the policemen. But at night, we witness a lot of rash driving by the bikers.
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The police needs to be present even during the night." The traffic police had banned two-wheelers from April 2, 2010,u00a0 on the stretch to ensure road safety after a steady rise in the number of fatal accidents on the flyover.
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On Facebook
Meanwhile, in the virtual world, eager bikers are asserting their right to use the JJ flyover. A Facebook community, labelled 'Want 2 wheelers back on JJ Flyover ufffd Period', is demanding that bikers be allowed back on the bridge. A total of 60,000 vehicles ply on the flyover daily.u00a0