Roundabout proposed to ease Haji Ali jam………Sharad Vyas
MUMBAI: Is there a solution round the corner for one of Mumbai’s biggest and longest-standing traffic problems—the jams at Haji Ali Junction?
After debating over several possible solutions, the BMC and traffic police are now mulling over whether to construct a roundabout at the junction and optimise the usage of traffic signals there.
Consultants Medulla-Soft on Friday presented a three-dimensional presentation to the BMC that included these measures to ease traffic flow at a major junction where four arterial roads meet. A final 3-D presentation is expected some time this week.
Haji Ali is one of the busiest traffic junctions in South Mumbai, along with Cadbury Junction, the Siddhivinayak Junction, Worli Naka and a few others.
Earlier, several solutions were proposed for Haji Ali, including setting up decks for multi-level parking and building a 250-metre, two-lane steel deck that would operate as a moveable, elevated road.
But four months after chief minister Ashok Chavan paid a visit to the junction and directed authorities to work out solutions, the consultants have told the BMC that a signalised roundabout would ease woes. The consultants have retained the traffic police’s original idea of having three car-parking decks, but have suggested removing existing traffic islands and replacing them with a signalised roundabout to create a one-way circulatory system.
The junction is the meeting point for Lala Lajpat Rai Road from the north, Pedder Road from the south, Jawjee Dadaji Marg from the east and Keshvrao Khadye Marg from the northeast. In addition, Bhulabai Desai Road (or Warden Road) meets Pedder Road at Cadbury Junction 200 metres to the south.
“The idea of having three car-decks may not be financially viable in the short run, therefore it makes sense to optimise the signals so that travel time can be saved and free flow of traffic is maintained,” said a senior civic official.
Jigar Vickamsey, business development manager (western), Medulla-Soft, said putting in a signalised roundabout could reduce travel time from one end of the junction to the other by at least 25% to 30%. “In addition, it is possible to have two signals on at a time on a signalised roundabout, which would ease movement and increase efficiency,” he added.
Once the 3-D model is completed, other minor changes would be introduced, he said. As a long-term solution, the traffic police have already suggested a flyover over the racecourse and pedestrian skywalks and subways.
In the past, as temporary measures, cops have tried closing traffic towards Mahalaxmi and Tardeo for cars coming from Pedder Road. “Then we introduced a dedicated lane from where one could take a U-turn around 100 metres ahead, near Lala Lajpat Rai College. Since that too did not work, we have focused more on other long-term solutions,” said a senior traffic official.
Medulla-Soft has done similar studies in Delhi. If successful at Haji Ali, it will survey other junctions in the city.