Ban on two-wheelers ineffective: Motorists

The traffic police department banned two-wheelers from plying on the JJ flyover on April 1, 2010, after observing that most accidents occurring on it involved bikers.

The traffic police department banned two-wheelers from plying on the JJ flyover on April 1, 2010, after observing that most accidents occurring on it involved bikers.

HT Image

Motorists, however, complain that the ban has not made much of a difference. “While during the day there is strict vigilance by traffic policemen, after 10pm several bikers can be seen speeding on the flyover,” said Shailaja Sharma, who uses the flyover to travel to work in Nariman Point from her residence in Goregaon. Sharma added that bikers also overtake other vehicles in a rash manner.

The police said there are three sharp curves on the flyover, which is one of the longest in the city, where bikers tend to speed up. In the past five years, 31 bikers have been killed, while 66 sustained injuries in accidents on the flyover.

A traffic police officer from Pydhonie traffic police chowkie, requesting anonymity said, “We keep a close tab on both ends of the flyover during the day. However, doing the same at night is not possible. We do try and keep traffic constables on one of the ends to fine the bikers.”

Motorists said a lack of enforcement by the police allows two-wheelers to ply on the JJ flyover.

“I had gone to south Mumbai with my friends on New Year’s Eve this time. While returning at around 1.30am, I saw at least 15 bikers on the flyover. Surprisingly, even though there was heavy nakabandi on both ends of the flyover, none of the bikers were intercepted or even fined,” said Marmik Mehta, a city businessman.