Errant auto rickshaw drivers and cabbies are parking their vehicles illegally in dedicated lanes for BEST buses and cycles in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
The lanes were made by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
On many occasions, autorickshaws travelling at high speeds between Bandra station and BKC are seen venturing into the dedicated bus lanes, which have been barricaded with plastic poles and ropes to prevent two-wheelers from entering them.
At many places, the barricades have been found damaged by speeding vehicles, thus defeating the very purpose for which they were put up: uninterrupted public transport movement.
Due to obstruction by trees at many places, double-decker buses are seen plying outside the lanes throughout the route. The MMRDA is yet to give permission for trimming of tree branches, without which the double-decker buses are unable to use the lane.
The dedicate bus lanes were made operational in April. On the stretch near the Mahanagar Gas Ltd office, one can see several commercial and private vehicles parked.
The BKC, developed by MMRDA as the city’s central business district and being modelled as a Smart City, was the first to get a dedicated lane for cyclists over 10 years ago to promote cycling. But the ambitious project is stuttering, thanks to illegal parking by taxis and other commercial vehicles and lack of enforcement by authorities.
At one spot, barricades put up by a five star hotel has blocked the cycling lane. A senior MMRDA official blamed the traffic department for the situation
“We have invested in this project and it is up to the traffic police to prevent other vehicles from entering dedicated lanes. We cannot police the entire area and route,” he said.
