BMC holds meeting to address traffic snarls on Mumbai's Western Express Highway | Things to know

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), tasked with the maintenance and repair of the Western Express Highway (WEH), has outlined a set of plans to improve traffic flow on this crucial route. Stretching over 26 km, the WEH connects South Mumbai with its northern suburbs and is one of the city's busiest corridors, with over 400,000 vehicles using it daily.

Frequent bottlenecks at major intersections, including the Goregaon Flyover, Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) Junction, and Dahisar Toll Naka, have long been a concern. In a recent meeting led by BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, attended by zonal commissioners, local ward officers and representatives from relevant agencies, a directive was issued to expedite solutions to these traffic challenges.

During the meeting led by BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, several key issues regarding the Western Express Highway (WEH) were addressed. Gagrani highlighted the significant scope for improvement in road quality and infrastructure to alleviate congestion and enhance the commuter experience. Below are the key pointers which were discussed during the meeting:

• The need for road quality improvements, repair of drainage systems, and overall infrastructure upgrades to ensure smooth traffic flow, particularly during the monsoons. The stormwater department was directed to take immediate action to improve drainage systems before the monsoon season.

• Apart from these concerns, the ongoing metro construction, frequent occurrences of abandoned vehicles, and illegal parking were identified as contributing factors to traffic snarls on the WEH. Representatives from MSRDC, MMRDA, Metro, and the traffic police were urged to collaborate with the BMC to address and resolve these issues.

• The WEH passes through several municipal wards, causing inconsistencies in road infrastructure, including dividers, footpaths, and barriers.

• Additionally, Gagrani pointed out the irregularities in road infrastructure due to the WEH passing through several municipal wards, resulting in inconsistencies in design, such as dividers, footpaths, and barriers. Swift measures will be taken to standardize the infrastructure and ensure necessary developments across all wards.

• Municipal officers were also directed to improve greenery and undertake beautification efforts to enhance the overall appearance of the WEH route.