Tilak Bridge buckles under diverted traffic as the Elphinstone Bridge shutdown drags on, iconic park reels under hours-long jams
Traffic congestion builds up near the Shivaji Park entrance close to the Meenatai Thackeray statue. Pic/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR
The closure of Elphinstone Bridge in September last year has triggered a cascading impact on traffic across Dadar and adjoining areas, with the effects now sharply visible in and around Shivaji Park. Though described as temporary, the prolonged traffic diversions have turned into a daily ordeal for residents, commuters, pedestrians and emergency vehicles, exposing serious gaps in civic coordination and planning.
As part of the traffic management plan following the shutdown, Tilak Bridge was designated as a key alternative east-west connector. However, simultaneous road repairs, Mumbai Road Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) works, and extensive utility digging on the bridge have severely compromised its capacity to handle the diverted traffic. With stretches of the carriageway narrowed and footpaths dug up on both sides, vehicular movement has slowed to a crawl, especially during peak hours.
Vehicles crawl along the Shivaji Park stretch as Tilak Bridge road works and diversions choke traffic movement. Pic/Ashish Raje
Residents of Shivaji Park say the situation has worsened over the past few weeks, with traffic snarls lasting several hours. “What used to be a 10-minute drive now takes nearly 45 minutes in the evening peak hours. There is constant honking, pollution and chaos,” said Jyotsna Sawant, a senior citizen living in the area.
One of the worst-affected spots is the junction near the entrance of Shivaji Park that houses the Meenatai Thackeray statue. Residents say traffic from Sena Bhavan towards the park entrance has increased sharply since the bridge closure and the commencement of works on Tilak Bridge.
Jyotsna Sawant, a senior citizen living in the area
“The road from Sena Bhavan to this entrance remains choked round the clock. Balmohan School is located right here, and the situation becomes dangerous when students enter and exit in the evening. Another major cause of congestion is the extremely short signal cycle. The Sena Bhavan signal stays green for barely eight to ten seconds, which is insufficient even for five vehicles to pass. Through the Shivaji Park ALM, we have made multiple written requests to increase the signal duration so more vehicles can clear the junction in one go. While there are other roads leading to the station side, this is the main route,” said Vaibhav Rege, secretary of the Shivaji Park ALM.
Residents have also criticised the planning of alternative routes. “What is the point of announcing diversions if those roads are also dug up? One bridge has already been shut, the Currey Road side route is heavily burdened and is now used by ambulances heading to hospitals like KEM. Over the past few weeks, Tilak Bridge has also been dug up along with its footpaths. This is a classic case of poor planning,” said Deepa Prabhale, another resident.
Long queues of vehicles are seen near Shivaji Park during peak hours, with residents blaming poor coordination between officials amid bridge closures and road work for the mess. Pic/Ashish Raje
Adding to the congestion, residents allege that a recent decision by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to allow parking along one side of the southern stretch of Shivaji Park Road has further reduced road space.
“There is a large BMC pay-and-park facility at Kohinoor Square, barely a two to five-minute walk from Shivaji Park. Instead of directing motorists there, the authorities have allowed parking on an already congested road. Recently, parking charges were also subsidised. The road along the park should be declared a no-parking zone or reserved only for pregnant women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities,” Rege said.
Traffic snarls near Sena Bhavan and the Shivaji Park entrance are severe as diverted vehicles struggle to traverse narrow carriageways. Pic/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR
Traffic police officials admit that managing the congestion has been difficult. “Tilak Bridge was identified as an alternative route on the assumption that it would remain fully operational. Ongoing civil works have reduced its capacity, making traffic regulation extremely challenging,” said traffic constable Shankar Patil, adding that additional personnel have been deployed during peak hours.
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