The 9.90 km cycle lane built by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) has remained largely unused, eventually gathering dust and being repurposed as a parking lot. Originally constructed at a cost of INR 6 crore and later extended in phases to a total cost of INR 55 crore, the project aimed to offer an eco-friendly transport alternative. Despite being re-laid in 2017 and inaugurated with great enthusiasm, the cycle path failed to attract regular users and was widely criticised.
As traffic congestion on BKC’s internal roads worsens, MMRDA has now decided to dismantle the cycle lane entirely to widen the roads. The demolition work began recently, and an additional INR 25 crore will be spent on converting the existing two-lane cycle path into a three-lane road. This widening is expected to ease congestion and potentially reduce travel time within BKC by 10 to 15 minutes.
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Senior MMRDA officials have stated that the road widening will proceed immediately after the cycle lane is removed, with efforts being made to complete the work as quickly as possible and make the upgraded roads operational soon.