Utility check: Cameras to keep car count on Eastern Freeway

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) plans to study the pattern of traffic on the newly-opened Eastern Freeway, to get an idea of how much it has helped motorists on the section.  

UPS Madan, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, said, “The study will be conducted over a period of seven days to check the traffic pattern. The data is far from finished. It will take at least a fortnight to tabulate the data.” 

The freeway was constructed with the aim of reducing the travel time between the eastern suburbs and south Mumbai, but it is not being optimally used by Mumbaikars as yet. 

This may also be because only half of the entry and exit ramps have been completed. Experts from the Mumbai Transport Forum say the nine ramps must be completed soon. 

MMRDA has a usage target of 24,000 passenger car units (PCUs) daily. 

The transport and communication department, which is undertaking the study, will install cameras at the entry and exit of the 13.59km road. The study may begin this week.

According to the Mumbai traffic police, 20% of the vehicles  that previously depended on the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road have started using the Freeway. The estimates of 2011 show that the Sion hospital junction witnessed about 57,000 PCUs daily, while the Hindmata junction had 42,200 PCUs. 

Starting Monday, the police has banned parking of vehicles on P D’Mello Road, between Carnac Bunder and Orange Gate, to allow better movement of heavy vehicles.        

SMOOTH RIDE 

The Eastern Freeway was constructed with the aim of reducing the travel time between south Mumbai and the eastern suburbs 

MMRDA plans to install cameras at the entry and exit of the 13.59km road to study its utility by motorists 

Constructed at a cost of Rs971.53 crore, it is the longest elevated road in the country and has been dubbed an engineering marvel