January 3, 2026: A newly opened shortcut road at Kapadia Nagar Junction in Mumbai has been introduced to ease traffic congestion between University of Mumbai Gate No. 1 in Kalina and Bharat Nagar in Bandra East. While the route is intended to reduce travel time between the two busy areas, commuters and residents say the lack of supporting infrastructure has instead created confusion and safety concerns.
On the ground, the road is difficult to identify, especially for motorists approaching from the university side. Despite being nearly as wide as a four-lane road, its entry and exit point near the university is only as wide as a single lane, making access awkward and potentially hazardous. Poor visibility further adds to commuter uncertainty, particularly for first-time users.
Activist AV Shenoy of Mumbai Vikas Samiti flagged serious shortcomings after inspecting the stretch. He said, “The infrastructure is very lacking, and the route becomes unsafe for anyone who wants to walk on the road after dark. It is difficult to navigate an unlit road. If the authorities decided to open it for public use, infrastructure should have been in place.” The absence of street lighting and pedestrian-friendly features has raised concerns about personal safety during evening and night hours.
Compounding the problem, a portion of the road leading towards Bharat Nagar is still under construction. Due to this, vehicles travelling in both directions are forced to use the same side of the road, with no divider in place. An autorickshaw driver, who did not wish to be named, said, “It gets difficult when there are two cars or bigger vehicles coming together. This will remain an accident-prone area until the work is completed.”
Resident and Citizens Transport Committee member Jitendra Gupta acknowledged the intent behind the project but stressed the urgency of completing the pending work. He told mid-day, “The road has a good purpose – connecting two places that previously took a lot more time to get to. But till the infrastructure isn’t completed, it is a concerning area on the safety front.” He added, “This would make the road safe for motorists and pedestrians.”
