Mumbai’s ever-worsening traffic woes have prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to form the city’s first-ever permanent Traffic Advisory Board.
This board will conduct traffic surveys, identify congested areas, and suggest solutions for better traffic management. The panel will include experts who will work alongside BMC officials. The advisory board’s tenure is set for five years.
The traffic situation in Mumbai has been deteriorating over the past several years due to ongoing infrastructure projects like the Coastal Road, Metro lines, flyovers, and other construction work. However, the question arises, why is BMC taking action now, when the situation has already reached out of control?
According to BMC, the advisory board will conduct micro-simulation studies, a digital model to review traffic flow. But can computer-based models really fix the city’s ground-level traffic issues? In the past, several traffic reports were prepared, but very few were implemented.
Parking and Footpath Surveys Also on Radar
The board will also survey on-road and off-road parking systems to improve parking management across the city. Additionally, footpath conditions will be assessed to ensure enough walking space for pedestrians.
The big question remains — will the BMC take concrete action to remove illegal parking and encroachments, or will this advisory board become yet another report-producing committee with no real impact?
