Traffic police to develop model junction to ease congestion

The Mumbai Traffic Police are looking at Juhu-Vile Parle Development (JVPD) scheme junction in Juhu and domestic airport junction in Vile Parle (East) to identify and develop a model junction.

The Mumbai Traffic Police are looking at Juhu-Vile Parle Development (JVPD) scheme junction in Juhu and domestic airport junction in Vile Parle (East) to identify and develop a model junction designed with proper signage,perfect signal time,no unauthorised parking,and zero traffic violations. Part of suggestions made by traffic police to the Director General of Police to decongest city roads and increase traffic discipline,many new proposals are expected to be floated in the next three months.

Vivek Phansalkar,joint commissioner of police (traffic),said the traffic authorities will soon approach civic authorities for infrastructural changes for the model junction their first project and deploy additional personnel there. He added that the concept was to encourage road discipline. If it works well,we will gradually cover the entire city, Phansalkar said.

Another proposal in the offing is revision of the penalty system,in which motorists will be given negative points for every traffic violation. Once the limit has been reached,the errant motorists will face strict action either suspension of licence or cancellation of vehicle registration.

Phansalkar said the system was suggested by a working committee earlier this year,and if approved,would be implemented all over Maharashtra. Response from the transport department is awaited, he said.

Offences like signal jumping,stopping over the zebra crossing,lane cutting,and persistent honking will invite a negative point each while violating speed limit will earn the offender three negative points. Driving dangerously will invite five negative points and drunken driving,under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act,will invite 10 negative points.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

* Pedestrians to be encouraged to use public transport,subways,skywalks,and FOBs. Traffic surveys point to fewer access to such services due to lack of cleanliness.

* Campaigns to educate and discipline motorists,supported by Amitabh Bachchan

12 CCTV cameras for Eastern Freeway

Story continues below this ad

The police are acquiring 125 CCTV cameras in addition to the 100 that the traffic police have installed across the city. Another 12 will be procured for the Eastern Freeway. Six cameras will be installed on the stretch and the rest will be placed at the entry and exit points. The MMRDA will pay for these cameras and speed guns,said an official.

Work on Kherwadi junction starts

Work on the Kherwadi junction in Bandra (E) started on Thursday,eight months after the contract for it was finalised by the MMRDA. Owing to the construction,motorists could face snarls on the south-bound stretch of the Western Express Highway,between Bandra and Santacruz. Traffic officials said though three lanes on the stretch around the junction will remain closed,several measures have been taken to ensure that vehicular movement is not affected.

Long Road

Road length 1,941 km

Vehicles in city 22.63 lakh*

Vehicles per lane 1,117/km

*Till October 2013

megha.sood@expressindia.com

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram