The BMC on Thursday has installed bollards on footpaths in Dadar and Matunga to keep motorists away. (Pics/ Atul Kamble)
The footpaths on the arterial BR Ambedkar Road (BA Road) in Matunga and Dadar are among the widest in Mumbai—up to four metres, almost as wide as the Marine Drive promenade. Yet pedestrians can barely use them safely, forced to dodge speeding bikers and unauthorised parking.
Bollards have been installed to restrict two-wheeler motorists from reaching the footpaths and jeopardising pedestrian safety.
Residents say the problem has worsened since the demolition of Elphinstone Bridge, which has choked BA Road with traffic heading both towards South Mumbai and across east-west connectors.
BMC's work came in response to a letter written to the civic body's F/North ward office by the Matunga division of the Mumbai Traffic Police, following complaints from residents and subsequent follow-up by Mid-Day.
Despite the initiation of bollard installation, motorists continue to ride on the footpaths to skip the long traffic queue.
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