Heavy vehicles such as trucks, tankers and outstation buses are worsening traffic congestion on Mumbai’s flyovers along the Western and Eastern Express Highways. Experts say slow-moving vehicles on steep gradients reduce road capacity and suggest restricting heavy vehicles during peak hours
Goods carriers, outstation buses, and trucks clog the Kalina Vakola flyover on the evening of February 27. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Mumbai’s 55-plus flyovers were built to ensure smoother traffic flow, especially at signals and junctions, but they are used by heavy goods trucks and buses even during the daytime, making commuting on these overpasses, especially on the Western and Eastern Express Highways, a daunting experience during peak hours, when motorists are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Heavy vehicles hinder the flow of traffic on the Aarey Colony flyover during evening peak hours in Goregaon East on March 1. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
mid-day recently conducted a test drive on both corridors to reveal that the extensive use of flyovers by outstation buses and goods carriers is causing congestion. City-based transport experts believe that easing congestion on arterial routes requires barring heavy vehicles from flyovers. According to the traffic police, the movement of heavy vehicles is restricted from 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 9 pm.
An official from the transport department said, “Allowing slow heavy vehicles on steep flyover gradients during peak hours can reduce effective capacity — but legally, unless notified otherwise, they are permitted. Restrictions, where imposed, are usually time-based.”
Eastern Suburbs
Kanjurmarg flyover
Buses and goods carriers of various sizes are seen on the Kanjurmarg flyover. Pic/Ranjeet Jadhav
While traffic congestion on the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) is relatively lower than its western counterpart, during a trio from Sion to Ghatkopar similar issues were witnessed. Buses and small- to medium-sized goods carriers were seen plying the Kanjurmarg flyover, leading to congestion, even as the lanes beneath remained largely empty. Diverting buses, goods carriers, and other heavy vehicles to the service lanes below the flyover could ease congestion considerably.
Western Suburbs
Kalina Vakola flyover
During evening peak hours, traffic slowed to a crawl on the flyover and approach lanes primarily due to the movement of goods carriers, heavy vehicles, and outstation buses. It was also observed that the northbound lanes beneath the flyover were largely empty. Diverting goods carriers, outstation buses, tempos, and trucks onto these lanes could make a difference.
Domestic airport flyover
The flyover near the Mumbai airport. PIC/Ranjeet Jadhav
In the northbound direction, tempos, small and medium goods carriers, and buses could be seen using the flyover, which appears to be a key reason for bumper-to-bumper traffic in this area during both morning and evening peak hours.
Aarey Colony flyover
The Aarey Colony flyover in Goregaon on March 1. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
A visit during evening peak hours revealed that congestion on the flyover and its approach roads was caused by slow-moving goods carriers, heavy vehicles, and outstation buses. In contrast, the northbound lanes below the flyover were mostly vacant.
Why has the problem increased?
>> Rising no. of construction vehicles, equipment carrying trailers
>> Rapid growth of e-commerce deliveries and logistics movement
>> Increasing tanker traffic serving construction and fuel supply
>> Rising number of private intercity bus operators
Traffic cop’s take
A senior traffic police official told mid-day that the issue is basically a network management problem. “On the Western and Eastern Express Highways, most flyovers are part of continuous highway corridors, and we cannot arbitrarily stop trucks unless a formal restriction is notified. If we suddenly block them without an order, the decision does not stand legally, and transport operators challenge it,” said the cop.
“Many trucks plan their movement to coincide with the end of restriction hours, which overlaps with peak commuter traffic. From the driver’s perspective, the flyover is the straightest route with fewer signals, so they naturally choose it. But when a loaded multi-axle vehicle climbs a gradient, its speed drops sharply and cars accumulate behind it,” he added, stating
“Drivers prefer elevated roads because they psychologically expect them to be faster. If we divert heavy vehicles, car drivers may still crowd the flyover, so management has to be planned carefully. Also, enforcement on long highway corridors requires manpower at every ramp, and vehicles re-enter at the next access point. Without a notified policy, officers on the road can only advise, not compel anyone.”
Voices
Ratnakar Sawant, Daily commuter
‘I get stuck on the Western Express Highway daily largely due to the presence of tankers, goods carriers, long-distance buses and tempos. The traffic police must enforce rules regarding such vehicles on flyovers, which would help ensure smoother and faster movement of vehicles’
Shilpa Nair, Airline employee
‘The airport flyover should be the fastest stretch, but it’s actually the slowest. We often see buses and tempos occupying both lanes, and cars are trapped behind them’
Suggestions from experts
>> Peak-hour vehicle segregation
Divert trucks, tankers, and buses to surface lanes
>> Ramp-level enforcement
Restrict heavy vehicles at flyover entry ramps
>> Signage
Electronic boards can dynamically alter traffic flow
>> Dedicated freight time windows
Permit goods vehicles to use flyovers freely during late night and off-peak periods
>> Bus routing management
Divert long-distance and contract buses via surface roads or designated corridors
Legal View
Arindam Mahapatra, Lawyer
‘At present, regulation focuses on city-entry timings for trucks rather than on how different vehicle types should use different layers of road space during peak hours. A parking area for trucks and buses could solve the traffic problems to a certain extent’
Expert’s Comment
Jagdeep Desai, Architect, academician, founder-trustee, and chairperson, Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai
‘We have outsmarted traffic logic and norms and are paying the price. We can only hope for damage control using non-infrastructure interventions. Otherwise, we will keep building flyovers, and traffic will be stuck despite them’
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