A zebra crossing in Khar that was blocked by a traffic island extending from a Metro pillar was removed minutes after mid-day brought the issue to the attention of the H Ward office and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials on Monday. The obstruction had been inconveniencing pedestrians on Swami Vivekananda Road, a major arterial route stretching nearly 25 kilometres from Bandra to Dahisar in the western suburbs.

The problem area was located at the junction where Khar’s Road Number 2 and Road Number 10 intersect SV Road, where the traffic island or planter linked to Metro Line 2B had been creating hurdles for foot traffic. Replying to the question of why the extension was allowed, the BMC Assistant Commissioner of H West ward, Dinesh Pallewad, said, “The issue is under the jurisdiction of MMRDA [Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority] as they have the possession of the SV Road for the Metro works.”

The protruding traffic island blocking the path of the zebra crossing. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT