Hindustan Times 17.02.2010

The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has failed to implement many of its recent proposals in the city.

One such proposal was that of the ‘Duck bus’ worth Rs 1 crore cleared by the BEST Committee in August 2009. A ‘Duck bus’ that runs both on water and roads was by and large meant for tourists. So far no progress has been made.

“We expect to get clearance from the Marine department within few days,” said BEST chairman Dilip Patel. BEST also planned to replace the existing films of Kinglong and air-conditioned buses with bulletproof sun protection UV films which would help to protect passengers sitting inside, in case of an accident. But this plan has also not been executed. “The tenure of the contractor to start placing the new films on buses begins in April,” said Dilip Patel.

The Bus Rapid Transit System too is struggling to garner pace. Initially Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority was supposed to take up the project of laying separate lanes for public transport BEST buses on Eastern and Western Express Highways. They have passed the project to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

But the local corporation is pondering on how to implement the project. “We have written to BMC asking them to take up the project, as a separate fund of Rs 100 crore is being allotted for transport projects like BRTS,” said a BEST official.

Another delay was the introduction of double-decker air-conditioned buses. The project is stuck as the contractor doesn’t find the project financially viable.

HindustanTimes 16.02.2010

Speed restrictions on Peddar Road flyover

It was supposed to make the connection between the island city and the suburbs a smooth ride.

But lack of an environmental clearance for the Peddar Road flyover, the longest to be built in the city, means that the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has had to change the alignment of the flyover limiting the speed in certain sections to 25 km per hours, against the planned 60 km per hour.

The flyover, which has faced opposition from Peddar Road residents including Lata Mangeshkar, is now stuck because of Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority’s regulations.

The problem is the planned alignment of the flyover. At the steep turn at Tambe Chowk near Wilson College, the flyover would jut seven metres into Girgaum Chowpatty. According to the plan, two piers would require to be constructed on the beach violating CRZ regulations.

The MSRDC, in a recent presentation given to the Chief Minister, decided that it would not construct the piers on Girgaum Chowpatty, instead following the existing alignment of the road to construct the flyover.

However, the change in plans mean that the flyover’s curve at Tambe Chowk will be steeper, reducing the maximum speed limit to 25 km per hour.

The 4.6-km long flyover will be the city’s longest flyover beginning at L L Marg at Haji Ali and ending on Marine Drive near G B Pant Marg and helping avoid ten traffic signals for commuters. MSRDC had hoped that the average speed on the flyover would be 60 km per hour.

“In the presentation to the MCZMA, we have now said that we will build the project according to the road alignment. We are hoping to float tenders as soon as we get government clearance,” a senior MSRDC official said.

Experts believe that the Peddar Road flyover could have the same effect on traffic dispersal as the 2.7-km long JJ Flyover.

The JJ flyover, which winds over 23 traffic junctions, has helped reduce travel time from South Mumbai to central parts of the city from 40 mins to 7-8 mins.

Peddar Road, one of the narrowest roads connecting Mumbai to its distant suburbs, is a commuter’s nightmare.