The ban on motorcycles on the JJ Flyover, which has received mixed reactions since its imposition last month, will continue even after rumbler strips are installed. Joint commissioner of police, traffic, Sanjay Barve said on Monday that although the rumbler strips would be installed on the flyover soon, the ban on motorcycles will not be lifted.
“Rumblers are largely effective against four-wheelers and heavy vehicles. Motorcycles have smaller wheels and rumbler strips do not work very well against them. Moreover, rumblers strips are at their optimum during the rains,” Mr Barve said. On being asked about the traffic congestion on Mohammad Ali Road due to the ban, Mr Barve said, “There is some congestion on the lower roads, but it is better than having fatal accidents.”
The traffic police had first considered lifting the ban after the move faced stiff opposition from motorists. Mohammad Ali Road that is beneath the flyover experienced a marked increase in traffic congestion after the ban, particularly in the evenings, when people working in south Mumbai head home to the suburbs.
“A study of all accidents involving two-wheelers revealed that the main cause was over-speeding. Based on the results of the study, we had started analysing the possibility of implementing speed control measures on the flyover and decided to place rumblers,” said an officer with the traffic police.
However, after weighing the pros and cons of installing rumbler strips, it was decided that they would not do much to reduce two-wheeler accidents. Hence, it was decided that the ban should not be lifted. The traffic police has been further bolstered in its decision by a recent ruling by the Bombay high court.
On April 29, a PIL filed against the ban was dismissed by the high court.
A division bench comprising Justices J.N. Patel and S.C. Dharmadhikari had ruled that since the ban was a policy matter, the court would not interfere.
The bench had further ruled that the traffic police could consider the petitioners’ suggestions about modifying the ban.