Bandra-Kurla Complex Transformation: Proposed Pedestrian Bridges To Slash Walking Distance And Traffic

Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) may soon become a pedestrian-friendly zone thanks to a series of proposed bridges connecting it with Kurla, Sion, and Chunabhatti, according to mid-day.

The suggestions come from the Walking Project, which has submitted its recommendations to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the city's guardian minister. These proposals are part of a broader plan to address pedestrian issues identified in a recent survey of the BKC area.

Photo Credit: PTI

One significant development is the sanctioning of the Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS) at Kurla station by the Chief Minister's Office. This approval follows advocacy from local MLA Mangesh Kudalkar and media coverage by mid-day.

Vedant Mhatre, programme director of the Walking Project, noted that adding pedestrian bridges over the Mithi River could substantially improve access. "If the MMRDA constructs a few pedestrian bridges similar to those in Ahmedabad, the walking distance between Kurla station and the Diamond Bourse could be reduced by about 25 per from 2.1 kilometres to 1.6 kilometres," he explained.

Mhatre also highlighted that improving pedestrian infrastructure around Kurla station could increase average walking speeds from four kilometres per hour to five kilometres per hour. His letter to the authorities suggests implementing traffic calming measures, better parking management, and enhanced cleanliness as key strategies.

The proposal includes two new bridges in Kurla West linking New Mill Road/SG Barve Road and another from Belgrami Road. Adding these bridges, along with a few foot overbridges (FOBs) further south, could make walking from Sion and Chunabhatti stations to ONGC feasible within just 15 minutes (1.3 kilometres). This improvement could ease the passenger load at Kurla station and its surrounding areas.

Mhatre criticized the current design of the BKC connector, which lacks footpaths despite passing through Chunabhatti station. "It's surprising that the connector wasn't designed with footpaths, given its strategic location. Even two-wheelers are restricted on this bridge, leading to persistent traffic congestion due to single-occupancy vehicles," he remarked.

The Walking Project's recommendations aim to reduce reliance on road transport, which is currently hampered by traffic congestion. Mhatre believes these changes could be implemented within a year with minimal political intervention, contrasting with other complex urban planning issues in Kurla West that require more extensive political involvement. All recommendations have been sent to Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and the MMRDA for consideration.

MMRDA officials have acknowledged the suggestions and stated they will be thoroughly analysed.

Key Details of the BKC Action Plan:

1. Solid Waste Management: Improve waste management along proposed walking corridors with round-the-clock services.
2. Footpath Retrofits: Update footpath kerbs with IRC-standard ramps, tactile paving, and warning bumps for visually impaired pedestrians.
3. Intersection Safety: Enhance safety at poorly designed traffic islands by lowering heights and adding sloped ramps.
4. Key Footpath Segments: Improve footpaths along the Mithi River bridge on the Kurla side and around the new BKC Metro station on Aqua Line 3.
5. Pedestrian Bridges: Add new pedestrian bridges across the Mithi River to ease congestion and improve access with minimal land acquisition issues.
6. Walking Corridors: Maintain pedestrian corridors leading to new bridges from Kurla, Sion, and Chunabhatti stations.
7. Bandra East Skywalk: Speed up the reconstruction of the Bandra East skywalk, which has faced delays.
8. Civic Marshals: Introduce civic marshals with the authority to issue e-challans for illegal parking.
9. Congestion Pricing: Consider congestion pricing in the G and E blocks of BKC to address traffic congestion.

These initiatives reflect a significant effort to enhance pedestrian infrastructure and improve overall urban mobility in Mumbai.