Mumbai: MMRDA implements safety measures on Link Road after Malad resident's complaints

After repeated complaints by Swapna Sankhe authorities removed a part of the barricade put up for Metro construction work at InOrbit junction in Malad to allow pedestrians easier access to the zebra crossingGoregaon and Malad residents have found a guardian angel a woman who tirelessly pursued the issue of the dangers posed to pedestrians and others because of the condition the Link Road from Bangur Nagar to Mith Chowki has been in owing to Metro construction workAlso read Canadian citizen puts up danger zone posters near mall in Goregaon after mothers deathSwapna Sankhe and her family with inspector Shankar JadhavHer efforts have borne fruit as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDA has made note of all her complaints and started implementing safety measuresVictory at lastMalad resident Swapna Sankhe a chartered accountant who divides her time between India and Canada poured all her energy in pushing the MMRDA and traffic department to secure the stretchldquoMy mother died at a zebra crossing at the InOrbit junction A speeding water tanker hit her from behind and crushed her to death After this I made it my lifersquos mission to ensure that that stretch was made safe for people as many in the area have faced a similar situationrdquo said Swapna who had put up handdrawn posters saying lsquoDanger Zonersquo at the junction to warn pedestrians ldquoNow my motherrsquos soul can rest in peace the authorities have come forward to make the necessary changesrdquoThe impactThe barricades erected for Metro construction work had enclosed the dividers leaving no space for pedestrians while crossing the road at the busy junction These had also obstructed pedestriansrsquo view of the traffic signal creating blind spots for those on foot as well as motoristsAfter midday reported on January 30 how Swapnarsquos mother had lost her life on January 15 on her way back home from a morning walk the MMRDA and traffic police came together to help the daughterAfter the report was published traffic inspector Shankar Jadhav incharge for GoregaonMalad area and Metro rail corporation officials called Swapna and her brother Gitesh to the site last Wednesday They assured the two that they would push back the barricadesldquoThis small change will help to clear traffic obstruction at the signal give space for pedestrian crossing and clear the blind spot making both motorists and pedestrians aware Metro officials have also promised us that they will instal lights at the junction as well as deploy a traffic guard during peak hoursrdquo she addedMissing third eyeThe police had booked the driver of the water tanker which had crushed Malad resident Swapna Sankhersquos mother to death for reckless and negligent driving But the driver managed to secure bail with the case not being too watertight either as the two CCTV cameras installed at the junction have been lying nonfunctional for months and the accident couldnrsquot be captured