The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to remove the 9.90-kilometre-long dedicated cycle track built at a cost of several crores To ease traffic congestion in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
BKC’s Cycle Track to Be Dismantled to Ease Traffic, Rs 25 Crore to Be Spent The decision comes as part of a road widening initiative, and the removal process is expected to cost around Rs 25 crore. The contractor appointment process for the same has already begun.
BKC currently has 108 kilometres of footpaths and 99 kilometres of cycle tracks running alongside them. The width of the footpaths ranges from 4 to 7 metres, while the cycle tracks vary between 1.5 and 2.7 metres. However, with over six lakh people commuting to BKC daily, traffic congestion has become a regular issue, especially during peak hours. Key congestion points include the stretch from Kalanagar Junction to Bharat Diamond Bourse along the Bandra-Kurla Link Road, as well as the start of the BKC Connector.
BKC’s Cycle Track to Be Dismantled to Ease Traffic, Rs 25 Crore to Be Spent The traffic problem has worsened since the Sion bridge was closed for vehicles, leading to increased diversion through BKC. Heavy and other vehicles using the BKC Connector have further added to the congestion. The cycle track was initially promoted and launched under the leadership of then-Minister Aaditya Thackeray.
Plan to Add an Additional Lane
With the removal of the cycle tracks, authorities plan to add an additional lane to the existing two-lane roads, resulting in a nearly 50% increase in road width. This is expected to reduce peak-hour travel time from 25 minutes to 15 minutes. Waiting times at signals or narrow spots are also expected to drop from 10 minutes to 7 minutes. Additionally, carbon emissions could be reduced by up to 30%.
Three-Lane Roads Ahead
To streamline internal traffic flow and reduce congestion, MMRDA will implement one-way traffic systems and road widening. The plan includes expanding current two-lane roads to three lanes, potentially increasing each lane’s traffic handling capacity by 600 to 900 vehicles, according to MMRDA officials.