Despite action by the Mumbai Traffic Police, motorists continue to flout restrictions near the Aarey Milk Colony Flyover on the Western Express Highway by shifting temporary barricades, raising ongoing safety concerns.
The issue surfaced after authorities placed plastic barriers to block a risky opening created when a road divider was removed on the southbound stretch. The gap allows vehicles descending from the flyover to make a sudden left turn onto the service road, increasing the risk of accidents on the high-speed corridor.
Although the barricades were installed following reports highlighting the hazard, on-ground observations show that both two-wheelers and cars are easily pushing them aside to continue using the illegal turn. In several instances, the opening remained accessible for parts of the day, undermining the purpose of the intervention. During a site visit, a traffic constable was seen repeatedly repositioning the barriers to prevent misuse.
Officials acknowledge that temporary solutions are proving ineffective. A traffic police constable said, “The department under whose jurisdiction this road falls should install permanent concrete barricades or dividers to prevent motorists and two-wheelers from taking an illegal left turn and getting on to the service road.”
The situation has exposed multiple gaps, including weak enforcement, absence of permanent infrastructure, and the limitations of movable barricades. The sudden turn not only disrupts traffic flow but also poses a serious safety threat on one of Mumbai’s busiest arterial routes.
After the issue gained attention, authorities responded online, stating, “Thanks for bringing this to our notice. Dindoshi Traffic Division has been informed about this.” While temporary measures have been introduced, experts stress that durable infrastructure and stricter monitoring are essential to ensure long-term road safety.
Source: Mid-day
