Mumbai: BMC plans uniform makeover for Dahisar to Mahim stretch

Commuters travelling between Dahisar and Mahim on the Western Express Highway WEH will be greeted by uniform street and traffic architecture if all goes according to plan The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC is planning small tactical interventions along this stretch measuring about 25 km in length such as unvarying dividers kerb stones traffic islands and thermoplastic painting of zebra crossings The vision includes beautification works along either side of the road possibly including planters street furniture and lightingThe civic body has formed a special cell to plan and execute the work under the leadership of the office of the deputy municipal commissioner infrastructure This cell has at least four other members according to a senior civic official The cell has been tasked with ideating aspects of this design and overseeing the execution of the workAbha Narain LambahA senior civic official told midday ldquoAt present there is no standardisation of street architecture across the WEH On a lighter note we have exclaimed internally that it is possible to spot the change in administrative ward boundaries while travelling the length of the highway by simply noticing the change in design of street architecture along the stretchrdquoWork at present is carried out individually at the ward level and each ward plans and executes work as per its individualistic ideation the officer said ldquoThis the WEH is an important arterial road running along the length of Mumbais suburbs up to the northern end of the island city It sees heavy trafficrdquo the official said This is also the road that takes one to the airportThe big ideaThe BMC has undertaken the project to enhance urban aesthetics along a crucial road with northsouth connectivity in the city ldquoThis will add to the aesthetic value of the road as wellrdquo the official addedWhat will it costAt present the special cell formed by the civic body is planning the design for the standardisation of street architecture Once this is done the cost of the project will be determined based on the needs of executing the workA congested section of the Western Express Highway in Vile Parle near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Domestic Airport PICASHISH RAJEldquoWe have debated exploring funding of the project through CSR funds Many corporations are interested in doing this kind of work and have shown active support for such ideas in the pastrdquo said Abhijit Bangar additional municipal commissioner in charge of the roads departmentExperts weigh inDhaval Shah president Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association LOCA said ldquoThis is definitely a step in the right direction As the commercial capital of the country our cityrsquos street infrastructure urgently needs an upgrade to worldclass standards while adhering to Indian Road Congress specifications When projects are executed with proper planning and quality they not only serve functional needs but also enhance the cityrsquos aesthetic appealrdquoActivist and filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said ldquoFirst and foremost roads footpaths dividers and pedestrian crossings must actually exist and be maintained as their current condition is pathetic The idea of uniformity is good as it will not only look decent but also make them easily identifiablerdquoAbha Narain Lambah citybased senior architect told midday ldquoIn principle this is a very good concept It concerns so many Mumbaikars who commute on the WEH daily and has the potential to add aesthetic value to the citys landscape It will be an added advantage if BMC agrees to let citizens have their say in the final design of this plan before its executionrdquoSeveral suggestionsJagdeep Desai an architect academician and transport analyst termed the move lsquodelayed but requiredrsquo He also stated that buses trucks tankers trailers dumpers cement mixers and garbage compactors should be prevented from venturing onto flyovers the SCLR Eastern Freeway and BKC connectorldquoWe need dedicated waiting stops for taxis autos cabs and cars near both air terminals Since Metro work is still going on construction vehicles must be made to park on the left side of the road not near the columns Appropriate lighting is also required below Metro stations The space below flyovers should be cleared All flyovers should have cement concrete barricades starting at least 300 m before the ramps to prevent the barging of vehicles Dedicated stops are needed for school office and tourist busesrdquo he saidElements of the project1 Beautification along the highway2 Ensuring uniformity in dividersrsquo colours and size3 Standardisation of kerb stones4 Making use of thermoplastic paint