Mumbai: 

Sign of the times: Signs like these will be placed at Suman Nagar on the Eastern Express Highway and near the Vile Parle airport flyover on the Western Express Highway. representation pic

Wouldn't it be a lot easier if you knew the traffic condition on the road you intend to travel on in advance? The Mumbai Traffic Police plans to do just that, with the installation of a Variable Message Signs (VMS) that will inform commuters about the traffic condition on the route ahead, possible roads for diversion, etc.

The portable VMS will be installed at Suman Nagar on the Eastern Express Highway and near the Vile Parle airport flyover on the Western Express Highway.

Sanjay Barve, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, said, "The VMS will be mounted on vehicles and it will provide important information to people."

The Mumbai Traffic Police has written a letter to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) asking them to order four vehicles mounted with the VMS - two each for Suman Nagar and the Vile Parle airport flyover. These vehicles will cost Rs 35,000 each and can be diverted to other locations when required.

The MSRDC is constructing flyovers at the two junctions and have barricaded four lanes on both highways for the same. An official from MSRDC said, "These messaging systems will be placed just before the under-construction flyovers to assist motorists."

Initially, there was some confusion between the Mumbai Traffic Police and the MSRDC. Officials at MSRDC were not sure if they had to purchase only the VMS or the vehicles as well.


What is VMS?

Variable Message Signs is an electronic message board that displays messages on the traffic situation, apart from displaying other information like number of drivers caught drunk and jailed. Such boards can be seen at the Bandra Kurla Complex, Matunga and several other places.