Drive through the darkness on JVLR

Absence of streetlights in stretches on the crucial road has made commuting extremely dangerous for night-time motorists

Driving on the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) has become nightmarish for commuters, due to the unavailability of streetlights in spots on the stretch, including the L&T Junction and the Gandhi Nagar Junction bridge over the JVLR railway line. Senior Police Inspector (Traffic) R C Patil from Saki Naka said, "There is work pending on the L&T Junction flyover. Thus the streetlights are not working. We have asked MMRDA to install radium reflectors, so commuters can easily distinguish between the two lanes."


No lights: Motorists drive on the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road in spite
of poor visibility as the streetlights are not working. Pic/Mahesh Chafe

Asked about accidents due to darkness in the area, the official assured that no incidents had been reported.
"Motorists driving on this stretch speed up their vehicles at night. We will place barricades in a zig-zag manner, so motorists are compelled to slow down," he said. A visit made by MiD DAY on Saturday night revealed that none of the streetlights were working. Motorists were speeding up vehicles in the deserted stretch, in spite of poor visibility. MMRDA officials claimed that MSRDC was responsible for the stretch. None of the MSRDC officials, however, were available for comment.

Motorists speak
Jogeshwari resident Kapil Tiwari said "I drive on this stretch daily. Driving is a horrifying experience on the L&T Junction. There are no lights. At any moment another motorist can hit me from behind."