The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is considering a congestion fee for the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). The plan targets cars that pass through BKC in less than fifty minutes. This will reduce traffic and discourage drivers from using the area as a shortcut.
BKC is one of Mumbai’s most important neighbourhoods. It has major transport projects like the bullet train, metro tracks, flyovers and several multinational companies. Around 400,000 people visit the area daily, and about 200,000 work there.
Traffic in BKC is heavy due to many cars passing through on their way to other parts of the city. The proposed congestion charge would not affect cars that operate in BKC. It would only target vehicles that use the area briefly to bypass other routes.
Cities like London, New York, Singapore, and Stockholm already use congestion charges to reduce traffic and encourage public transport. The MMRDA hopes a similar system will work in Mumbai. Officials say the fee is meant to prevent unnecessary trips through BKC while keeping local traffic unaffected.
However, reports suggest that a lack of enough east-west roads is the cause of traffic around BKC. Current routes are already crowded, and there are few connections between them. Traffic has worsened recently due to the closure of some nearby bridges. This has forced more vehicles to pass through BKC, adding to congestion.
The idea of the fee was discussed by Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister and head of MMRDA, earlier this year. The MMRDA is still considering the concept. They plan to hire a consultant first to design a proper strategy before deciding whether to implement the fee.
If approved, BKC could become the first area in India to impose such a congestion charge.
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