**Mumbai Faces Massive Traffic Chaos Amid Bridge Demolitions and Ongoing Construction**
It was pure horror on the streets of Mumbai on Tuesday. The demolition of the arterial Elphinstone Bridge without adequate groundwork, delays in the widening of Tilak Bridge, stalled progress on the Sion-Dharavi bridge, ongoing water pipeline repairs in front of Mantralaya, compounded by Navratri shopping, combined to create severe traffic snarls all over the island city.
With thousands of devotees rushing to Mahalaxmi Temple, the entire area stretching from Haji Ali, Warden Road, Pedder Road, Gamdevi Road, and beyond witnessed cars inching forward at a snail’s pace.
**Western Express Highway Jam Adds to Chaos**
This traffic nightmare came on top of the massive jam on the Western Express Highway (WEH), which has become a permanent feature of the city’s western suburbs.
Ramanand Mishra, a taxi driver with 20 years of experience plying Mumbai’s roads, shared his concern: “I have never witnessed such massive traffic jams before. I am now scared to take out my taxi.” Another driver, Vishwas Mane, added, “We spend hours stuck in these wretched jams inhaling exhaust gases. I get frequent headaches.”
**Emergency Services Struggle Amid Congestion**
The situation has deteriorated so much that even emergency services like ambulances and fire brigades are getting stuck in traffic for hours at a stretch.
With Ganeshotsav just concluded and Navratri festivities underway, large crowds out shopping have further aggravated the congestion.
Motorist Aditya Kamat recounted his ordeal of being stuck in heavy traffic on the Curry Road Bridge around 9 a.m. while traveling from Sion to Lower Parel. The severe traffic jams have adversely affected both patients and general citizens.
**Closure of Elphinstone Bridge Sparks Panic**
Residents allege that demolishing the Elphinstone Bridge without making effective alternative arrangements is the administration’s biggest blunder.
The bridge’s closure has worsened the traffic crisis in Dadar. Authorities demolished the Elphinstone Bridge without waiting for the completion of the Tilak Bridge widening project. As a result, long queues of vehicles now extend from Dadar station area to Matunga and Mahim.
With major festivals like Dussehra and Diwali approaching, the mounting chaos has sparked panic among traders and commuters alike.
The Tilak Bridge widening project has been pending for over 18 months. Residents and traders in Dadar are furious that authorities rushed into shutting down Elphinstone Bridge, creating chaos in one of Mumbai’s busiest areas.
**Residents Demand Better Traffic Management**
Local residents from Dadar, Prabhadevi, Shivaji Park, Sheetladevi Temple, and Mahim have written to the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the Municipal Commissioner demanding improved traffic management.
They have requested the deployment of additional traffic police, strict action against illegal hawkers on roads and footpaths, and the removal of unauthorized parking on main roads.
Deepak Devrukhkar, secretary of the Dadar Traders Association, emphasized, “Timely completion of Tilak Bridge work and immediate steps to decongest traffic are our main demands.”
**Emergency Services Under Threat**
Both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court had earlier ordered the removal of hawkers from railway station premises, but authorities have failed to implement these directives.
This has complicated the traffic problems in Dadar further. The lack of effective disaster management and emergency measures has put essential services like ambulances and fire brigades at risk.
Citizens have urged police and municipal authorities to take immediate corrective actions.
**Traffic Chaos Hits Other Parts of Mumbai**
Traffic chaos was also reported in Mumbai’s western suburbs on Wednesday morning.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Anil Kumbhare, informed FPJ that a Tunnel Boring Machine brought to Dindoshi for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road twin tunnel excavation project caused severe traffic snarls during the morning hours.
Similarly, with the Elphinstone Bridge shut, heavy traffic was reported on Curry Road, Lower Parel, Sion, and Lalbaug bridges, especially during office rush hours in the mornings and late evenings.
Motorists heading to work faced long delays due to bumper-to-bumper traffic, further compounding commuting woes in Mumbai.
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**The mounting traffic crisis in Mumbai highlights the urgent need for coordinated urban planning, effective implementation of infrastructure projects, and proactive traffic management to restore normalcy and ensure the safety and convenience of the city’s residents and commuters.**
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-streets-turn-chaotic-as-elphinstone-bridge-demolition-and-roadworks-trigger-massive-traffic-jams