One biker died and three others were injured in an accident involving two bikes and two cars on JJ flyover on Wednesday night. The accident has brought back into focus the issue of two-wheelers plying on the flyover despite a ban imposed by the traffic police in 2010.
According to Pydhonie police, the accident occurred at around 10.40 p.m. on Wednesday on the stretch passing over Mandvi telephone exchange. The four bikers, Iraz Khan (19), Arbaz Usmani (22), Osama Khan (18) and Shahnawaz Khan (18), were on their way to south Mumbai to shop for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
An officer with Pydhonie police said, “All four youths, residents of Gurudutt Nagar in Kurla, were close friends. Arbaaz and Osama were riding their bikes while Iraz and Shahnawaz were riding pillion. Arbaaz lost control of his bike and rammed into the divider. The bike sped into the opposite lane and was hit by an i20 car travelling towards Byculla.”
Osama, who sustained a fracture to his leg, said, “Shahnawaz also lost control of our bike after witnessing the accident and a Skoda car rammed us from behind.” Passing motorists stopped their vehicles and rushed the youngsters to JJ Hospital in Byculla, where Iraz was declared dead before admission. Arbaaz, who sustained severe head injuries, was shifted to the Critical Care Unit and is now said to be out of danger. Shahnawaz was discharged after being treated for his injuries.
Shakeel Khan, Shahnawaz’s father, said, “We are heartbroken by the tragedy that has befallen Iraz’s family, that too in the holy month of Ramzan.” Iraz had passed Class XII, while Arbaz, the youngest of three brothers, worked with a car glass supplier on Kurla-CST road. Osama works as a mechanical engineer on Kurla-CST road, while Shahnawaz is a student at Saboo Siddik College.
After inquiries, Pydhonie police booked Arbaaz for causing death and endangering life owing to rash and negligent driving under the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amitesh Kumar said this was the third accident involving two-wheelers on the flyover this year. The Bombay High Court had upheld the ban on two-wheelers on the flyover when an appeal was filed against it. However, bikers continue to ply as soon as traffic policemen leave.
Mr. Kumar said, “It was an unfortunate incident. We immediately increased personnel on the flyover and neighbouring areas. We have also proposed efficient use of CCTV cameras and will be implementing speed control measures, for which we need the assistance of other departments as well.”
