The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday, May 22, announced restrictions on the movement of several vehicles on the Parel TT flyover in Central Mumbai from June 1.
The civic body has taken this decision in order to fix the potholes as its pre-monsoon works on the decades-old bridge at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marg.
This is one of the major corridors in the city for thousands of commuters.
“These” vehicles are not allowed to enter the flyover
As per an official statement released by the BMC, two-wheelers and heavy vehicles, including public transport buses, will not be allowed on the flyover.
It is a prominent connector between the south and central regions in the city. It is pertinent to note that due to movement of heavy vehicles, the number of potholes increases on the flyover every monsoon.
The civic body has started filling potholes on the road to avoid inconvenience to citizens during monsoon. Hence, the traffic police requested the BMC's bridge department to take measures to ban heavy vehicles on the flyover, the release stated.
Thereafter, a no-objection certificate for stopping heavy vehicles was received from Mumbai Traffic Police.
Apart from this, a height barrier will be installed before the Paral TT flyover by May 31 for a week to prevent entry of heavy vehicles. It means, vehicles with a height of more than 2.5 meters will not be allowed to enter the bridge.
Timings of closure
At present, the repair and maintenance work on this bridge is being carried out only during night hours to avoid inconvenience to motorists. The work of filling potholes and filling joints is going on as per the instructions of the traffic police only between 11 pm to 5 am.
Post-monsoon works
In addition to this, the traffic police have requested the civic authorities to take measures to strengthen the flyover, which is likely to start in October. The flyover will be shut again post monsoon for carrying out the bridge strengthening at a cost of INR 18 crore.
It is expected to be completed in six months. Heavy vehicles will be allowed only after the strengthening work gets completed.
However, currently, the expansion joint portion of the bridge is not suitable for traffic.
Motorists express dismay
Citizens, especially those commuting daily, have expressed their concern and disappointment about the move as it may worsen the traffic adding to their travel woes in the area.
Owing to closure of Delisle bridge next to Lower Parel station, the passengers are witnessing heavy traffic snarls.
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