July 16, 2025: The number of officially recognised accident-prone black spots across Mumbai has more than doubled over the past two years, surging from 20 to 48. This sharp increase, despite ongoing expansion of flyovers and road infrastructure, highlights persistent dangers at major junctions—particularly for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders.
Civic officials and the Mumbai Traffic Police have acknowledged the severity of the issue and announced a joint intervention strategy to address each high-risk location. Plans are underway to appoint contractors through public tenders to redesign junctions and install essential safety infrastructure, including signage, pedestrian crossings, barriers, and improved lighting.
The rise in black spots has been attributed to rapid urban expansion, increasing vehicle density, and inadequate coordination between the city’s traffic enforcement, municipal engineering teams, and regional transport offices. Experts argue that the absence of a dedicated road safety authority has led to fragmented efforts and prolonged inaction.
While the black spots were previously identified, officials concede that most safety plans remained confined to paper. International urban planners recently consulted on Mumbai’s road network have echoed these concerns, stressing the urgent need for integrated, city-level road safety management.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport’s definition, a black spot is any 500-metre road stretch that records at least five serious accidents or over ten fatalities in three consecutive years. In 2023 alone, audits by Indian and global road safety experts found a concentration of fatalities around dimly lit junctions, missing dividers, and unmanaged pedestrian crossings.
As Mumbai aspires to evolve into a smart, inclusive, and sustainable city, experts advocate for the appointment of a state-level road safety commissioner. Such a role, they argue, is vital to institutionalise reforms, ensure accountability, and prioritise the safety of the city’s most vulnerable road users.
Source: Urban Acres
