In Mumbai: 5-min halt to unclog Thane bridge during peak hours

Once implemented, all the roads leading to the bridge — from Mumbai and Thane sides — will be shut alternatively for five minutes for easy vehicular movement

Kopri bridge, which is notorious for 30-minute jams during peak hours, will soon be decongested.

Kopri bride is notorious for 30-minute jams during peak hours. (Praful Gangurde)

The traffic police department has decided to implement a ‘5-minute halt’ system on a trial-basis. The system is likely to be introduced in the next couple of days.

Once implemented, all the roads leading to the bridge — from Mumbai and Thane sides — will be shut alternatively for five minutes for easy vehicular movement. Traffic officials said this would prevent snarls at both ends of the bridge.

A similar system was implemented by the traffic police when Versova bridge, on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, was being repaired.

After the bridge was turned into one-way, vehicles at one end were halted for 20 minutes to clear traffic at the other.

Around 8,000 vehicles use the Kopri bridge every day to travel towards Thane and Mumbai.

The traffic police said the six-lane road narrows down to three lanes on the bridge and this which causes traffic jams.

They also blamed the impatient motorists for creating a bottleneck on the bridge.

“At times, the jam reaches Teen Haath Naka during peak hours. The new system will help reduce jams and aid vehicular movement,” said deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Amit Kale.

The department has another solution to ease traffic jams — punish errant officers.

“Action will be initiated against traffic constables and officers if found talking over the phone while penalising offenders during traffic jam,” said Kale.

Kale added, “We will see how effective it is during the trial period before extending it to other congested areas. Motorists must not complaint about the delay because it better than getting stuck in a jam for 30 minutes. Free flowing traffic will also reduce noise and air pollution. We have asked our officers to stay alert while on-duty once the new system is implemented. Fewer the number of halts, thinner the traffic jam.”