Thanks to encroachments of hawkers spilling on both sides after having gobbled up pavements, pedestrians have to jostle with motorists to get across.
The SV Road near the Amboli junction in Andheri (West) gives new meaning to the phrase ‘on the road’.
Thanks to encroachments of hawkers spilling on both sides of the road after having gobbled up the pavements, pedestrians have to jostle with motorists to get across.
The stretch of road from the Andheri railway station to the Hyundai showroom has been encroached upon by illegal hawkers for quite a few years now. “The Amboli Phatak connects Andheri East to West and is choked with traffic during peak hours. With no footpaths left due to encroachment over the last few years, pedestrians are left with no choice but to use the road, which is a safety hazard,” complained a resident of Andheri (West).
The chock-a-block traffic has also raised the residents’ hackles. “The continuous honking disturbs our sleep. Despite repeated complaints, the municipal authorities are turning a blind eye to these encroachments, as their hands are regularly greased by these hawkers,” he added.
Besides, a zebra crossing near the Amboli junction is conspicuous by its absence, putting children from nearby schools at risk.
A senior citizen from the area complained that it is becoming more and more difficult for the elderly and school children to cross the road during peak hours. “I wonder if the civic authorities will wake up only after a couple of road users die,” he grumbled.
Dilip Kawathkar, spokesperson of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), was quick to pass the buck to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). “We widened the road as per the development plan and handed it over to the BMC in 2008. It is now up to them to maintain it.”
Ward officials went on the defensive when the issue was raised with them. Ramesh Pawar, assistant commissioner of Andheri (West) ward, said, “There are fewer encroachments on the road, which will be removed when the road widening work begins soon. We are looking at rehabilitating the locals.”
As for the absence of a zebra crossing, he added, the transport coordination department will soon appoint a contractor for it.
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