Mid-Day impact: Are traffic fines in Mumbai punishing confusion rather than carelessness?

Electronic signals and signboards display that get missed at the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road because of the Metro pillars. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE

Motorists across the city have raised concerns over what they describe as a growing revenue trap disguised as road safety enforcement. From strategically placed, barely visible signboards tucked behind trees and Metro pillars to electronic signals showing completely opposite signs to the ‘old-school non-electronic' signboards, commuters say they are being penalised more for confusion than for dangerous driving.

Nariman Point to Grant Road

Signal showing a right turn while the signboard displays ‘no right turn' near Wilson College. PIC/ASHISH RAJE

While the old signboard clearly states that drivers cannot take a right turn to go towards Grant Road if they are coming from Marine Drive at the signal that's just before Wilson College, the electronic signalling system shows that one can take a right turn.

Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road

While there is a ‘one-way' sign board near the signal, drivers often tend to miss it, especially during peak hours. By the time they realise, it's too late, as they are already paying the fine. "We have tried and tested all methods. Opening this road for all traffic is just not possible, as it would lead to huge traffic congestion on the WEH. This road directly connects to WEH, which is packed northwards in the evening and southwards in the morning," said Ramdas Mahale, traffic constable.

The left signal sign board which was removed earlier in March

Earlier, if one came from Borivli towards Bandra on the WEH and wished to take a left turn to Bandra directly from the highway instead of first entering the service road and then taking a left turn, to go towards the collector's office, he or she would be fined just opposite Sai Prasad Hotel on the Maruti Mandir Road, one could get away with a bribe too. However, Joint Commissioner (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare acknowledged mid-day highlighting the confusion over the Kherwadi signal in Bandra East and the alleged bribery by traffic police.

Joint Commissioner (Traffic)

"We are thankful to mid-day for bringing this issue to our notice. While we have already taken action at one location, actions will be taken at the other two locations as well at the earliest. We will take strict action against the cops who take bribes. We request commuters to not be involved in such practices and instead click a photo of the cop demanding a bribe and send it to our helpline."

The main signal on highway shows green along with arrows pointing towards left to take a left turn at the Kherwadi signal, creating confusion before the sign board was removed. Pic/Ritika Gondhalekar

Voices

Esha Narkar, a daily commuter
"For someone like me who is not a local resident, seeing the BEST buses and two-wheelers pass, you tend to just drive through. Also, the signboard on the signal [at Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road] is on the extreme left, which is barely visible. I have paid an Rs 500 fine recently."

Gaurav Joshi, a resident of Mahakali
"The road was turned into a ‘one-way' long ago [around 2005-2006] for multiple reasons, including flooding in 2005, followed by multiple constructions. However, it has been three years since the last construction work was completed, for which this road [Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road] was kept open in one direction. We do not understand why people are still made to take a huge turn of about 1.5 km and keep this three-lane-wide road empty even during the peak hours."

Falguni Ketkar, a daily commuter
"I was going to my mother's home in Grant Road, and my office is in Nariman Point. My driver took this right turn, and we were asked to take our car on the side by a traffic cop. He mentioned that we had taken the wrong turn and that a board showing ‘no right turn allowed' [on Nariman Point to Grant Road] was put up at the signal. I did try to make him understand that the signal allowed us to take a right turn here. How will we know which one to follow?"

Rs 500
Fine for taking a wrong turn

2005-06
Year Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road was converted to one way