MMRDA lights up Barfiwala flyover with fancy lights, but ignores Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road where streetlights are missing from some areas
With the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) lighting up the Barfiwala flyover, Andheri (W), with blue LED lights, questions are being raised as to the lack of concern towards other roads in the city, which have dim or no illumination at all.
Let thereu00a0be light:u00a0On Monday, MMRDA illuminated about 200 meters of the Barfiwala flyover,u00a0Andheri (W)
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On Monday, MMRDA illuminated about 200 meters of the flyover, claiming that it had done so to protect the space under the flyover from encroachment. But, it seems that the planning authority and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) have decided to forgo installation of lights on some important roads.
For instance, the arterial Jogeshwari-Vikroli Link Road (JVLR), which was funded by MMRDA and implemented by MSRDC, doesn’t have lights at some important stretches on the road.
In the past MiD DAY had published several articles stating how significant sections on the JVLR don’t have streetlights because of which not only are motorists facing problems, but it also increases the chances of pedestrians being hit by speeding vehicles.
Darkness prevails: Last year, MiD DAY had drawn attention to the non-existing street lights on JVLR
At some places there are street lamps, but these street lamps don’t work, as there is no power connection. Driving on JVLR has become a nightmare for commuters, due to the unavailability of streetlights, including the L&T Junction and the Gandhi Nagar Junction Bridge. However, till date the authorities have done nothing.
When the question regarding the same was put to a senior MMRDA official, he said, “The JVLR project was funded by MMRDA, but implemented by MSRDC, and so we cannot comment on the same.”
In a press statement issued to the media by MMRDA it was stated: “It’s a very welcome development which, in fact, offers a pleasant view in the midst of a concrete jungle. MMRDA also claimed that in Mumbai any space which is dim or kept away from public view is prone to encroachment, and so the planning authority thought it is best to illuminate the underbelly of the flyover to keep the area under the flyover bright.
“The eco-friendly LED strip lighting consumes very low power and is economical too. The same can be used indoor as also outdoor as the same is waterproof and has a long lifespan. The LED wall washers give a soft blue touch with high brightness to the flyover which will run for a total of 1,400 metres on both sides,” said MMRDA Joint Project Director Dilip Kawatkar.
MMRDA will spend Rs 14.63 lakh towards the project, and is expected to be completed by the first week of November. When contacted MSRDC officials were unavailable for comment.u00a0
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