Over 250 residents from 50 societies have joined hands to spread awareness of 'No right turn towards Andheri and Malad'.
If you find over a dozen people at Akurli Road, Kandivali standing with placards in their hands guiding you to not take a right turn at the road to Lokhandwala to reach the Western Express Highway, know that it is a pilot project by Lokhandwala Residents Association (LRA) along with Mumbai Traffic Police.
For years the residents suffered the brunt of the traffic jam that used to be created due to the right turn at the Akurli Road. The vehicles wanting to go to Lokhandwala would be stuck as the ones which were taking the right turn would block the road.
After constant follow-ups with the MTP, the LRA managed to get the traffic diverted from that route. Now, from Sports Authority of India at Akurli road, one has to take a left and then take a 'U' turn from Thakur flyover towards Western Express Highway.
Earlier, due to the right turn leading to Lokhandwala, there would be a lot of traffic in the area causing a lot of issues to the residents. It would take the vehicles plying on that road twenty minutes to reach.
For a fortnight, over 250 residents from 50 societies have joined hands to spread awareness of 'No right turn towards Andheri and Malad'. People stand in different shifts and slots from morning 7.30am to 9.00 pm. People from all walks of lives and ages have booked their slots via a WhatsApp group stand there at any given point of time.
Rajeev Kashyup, whose brainchild and efforts is this whole drive and LRA said, “We would often see so much traffic here, it was a constant threat to us. For the past fifteen years, we had tried and lost all hopes however, I thought if we unite together and make efforts, it would make a huge difference. Hence, we formed LRA and over six months did surveys, met with top authorities and have finally achieved our goal. The MTP was very supportive, and has assured us that if the traffic comes under control via this pilot project then it will be a permanent diversion."
Dr. Jayashree Gupte, a dentist who resides in the vicinity itself says, “Before I go to my clinic, my husband and I make it a point to stand there. I have lived here since 1993, and never seen so much change altogether. It feels much more peaceful now.”
While Enisha Oberoi, an artist said, “I have a very young child, and I have been living in the vicinity for so many years. The traffic would make my child very cranky. Now, my whole family including my child, husband and brother-in-law stand there for hours. I go there twice in a day to lend my support.”
"I can reach my workplace within seven minutes otherwise, I would have to spend atleast 20 minutes on just this junction.” Said Lopa Sharma who drives through this route daily to go to her office at Lokhandwala.
MLA, Atul Bhatkhalkar of BJP said, “It is a brilliant initiaitive the residents have taken. We have lent complete support to them. It is extremely intriguing to see so many people who care for their vicinity. Our next aim will be to clear other bottle necks in the area too.”
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