Your Bandra commute is set to get smoother, Mumbai civic body to widen road near Pali Naka

For years, citizens have complained about the bottleneck at Pali Naka, which is congested at peak hours daily

After the civic body razed encroachments and unauthorised stalls, including Toto’s Garage, at Pali Naka last month, it has started work on widening the Pali Market Road leading to BR Ambedkar Road in Bandra (West).

Vehicles drive past at Pali Hill Naka on Thursday. (Shashi S Kashyap/HT)

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the 30-foot-long Pali Market Road will be widened by 10 feet to ease congestion on a 300-m stretch from the market junction to the Pali Naka. According to an official, the road is being widened for the first time and as such, establishments on the road have been notified.

For years, citizens have complained about the bottleneck at Pali Naka, which is congested at peak hours daily. Commuters also complain about the noise pollution, increased travel time and encroachments on sidewalks.

“Currently, repairs are underway at zigzag road and so we need a better an alternative route to enter and exit Pali Hill,” said Madhu Poplai of Pali Hill Residents’ Association.

Sara Hussanning, who works at Pali Naka, called the continuous honking at the junction “disturbing”. “It takes me at least 15 minutes to make my way out of the junction, owing to the uncontrolled traffic approaching from all sides.”

Officials said land-acquisition notices were sent to local businesses and the project was likely to be completed within 15 days.