All internal roads in G block of Mumbai’s BKC to be one-way for 2 months

The pilot project will kick off in the next two-three weeks in the G block of BKC, which houses the Sofitel building and Trident.

With more than 50,000 vehicles entering the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) during peak hours every day, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is attempting a new solution to keep the traffic chaos in check – allowing only one-way traffic movement on all internal roads.

More than 50,000 vehicles enter the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) during peak hours every day. (HT File)

MMRDA is the special planning authority for BKC, which houses a huge number of commercial spaces. The pilot project will kick off in the next two-three weeks in the G block of BKC, which houses the Sofitel building and Trident. If successful, it will be implemented across the complex. The agency had sought an approval for the plan from the chief minister-led authority in February. The traffic department has given its in-principle nod.

Besides the number of vehicles, the ongoing infrastructure projects, too, act as hurdles in traffic movement.

The projects include work on the Kalanagar flyover, BKC-Eastern Express Highway connector, extension to the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road and underground Metro-3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz). The work on the Mumbai-Gujarat bullet train project is set to begin soon, which makes streamlining the traffic even more important.

K Vijayalakshmi, chief, transport and communications, MMRDA, said, “We will look at improving footpaths, making the area more pedestrian-friendly and sorting the parking facilities in BKC in the coming months.”

An official said barricading and putting up of signages have begun. Recently, MMRDA also renamed streets and internal roads in BKC, using terms such as avenue, streets and lanes, on the lines of international cities.

MMRDA commissioner RA Rajeev said the aim is to uplift the aesthetic value of the area. “We are looking at getting art installations and beautifying the area. There will be a lot of transformation in the coming months,” he said.

In 2018, MMRDA mulled introducing staggered working hours to prevent traffic congestion owing to the ongoing infrastructure projects, which did not take off.