21 April,2026 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Temporary fix: A traffic constable installs plastic barricades to block the gap on Monday
A day after a mid-day report flagged a dangerous opening near the Aarey Milk Colony flyover on the Western Express Highway, the Mumbai Traffic Police installed temporary plastic barricades to curb illegal turns. However, motorists continue to bypass the restriction by pushing aside the barriers.
The gap, created after the removal of a road median on the southbound carriageway, allows vehicles descending from the flyover to take an abrupt left onto the service road, raising safety concerns.
Reblocking the gap: A traffic constable places barricades again after they were moved aside. Pics/Nimesh Dave
A traffic police constable said permanent measures are needed. "The department under whose jurisdiction this road falls should install permanent concrete barricades or dividers to prevent motorists and two-wheelers from taking an illegal left turn and getting on to the service road," he said.
On Monday, mid-day reported that the removal of a key divider had created a hazardous traffic situation on the 25.33-km Western Express Highway.
>> Vehicles could directly access the service road
>> The abrupt turn increased accident risk
>> The modification lacked a proper physical restriction
Still slipping through: A car moves past the plastic barricade through the same opening
>> Two-wheelers and four-wheelers were seen pushing aside plastic dividers
>> Vehicles continued to take the illegal left turn
>> The opening remained
accessible during parts of the day
>> During a visit by the photo journalist, a traffic constable was seen repositioning the barricades to block the turn again.
Open access: Two-wheelers slip through the gap at the southern end of Aarey Milk Colony flyover. Pic/Nimesh Dave
Temporary fix: Plastic barricades are easily displaced
Enforcement gap: No consistent monitoring to prevent misuse
Infrastructure lapse: Absence of permanent dividers
Safety risk: Abrupt turns on a high-speed highway
Unrestricted entry: (circle) An autorickshaw uses the gap in the barrier at the Aarey flyover stretch
Following the report, mid-day tagged Mumbai Police and the Mumbai Traffic Police on the social media platform X.
Traffic police responded: "Thanks for bringing this to our notice. Dindoshi Traffic Division has been informed about this." Temporary plastic barricades were subsequently installed at the spot.
