Mumbai: After a decade, MMRDA removes divider on Western Express Highway where many lives have been lost

The process of removing the divider on the south-bound carriageway of WEH is on

After more than a decade, MMRDA has removed a divider from the Western Express Highway (towards Virar) at Akurli in Kandivli where many lives have been lost in accidents. The divider on the other side (towards Churchgate) of WEH at the same spot, which is also accident prone, is in the process of being removed. Relatives of those who died in accidents at the spots say the action has come too late.

Some of the road leading to the divider (towards Churchgate) is partly barricaded adding to the problem

However, they are content that the action will prevent such incidents in future. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is expanding the Akurli Subway nearby and the work of removing the dividers is part of it. On average every year 2-3 people died at these spots according to a police report.

Speaking to mid-day, Joint Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA Dr B G Pawar said, "We have started work on the Western Express Highway and removed the divider from one side and the work to remove it from the other side is in progress. We are widening Akurli Subway and the dividers will be removed." Speaking to mid-day DCP Somnath Gharge of Traffic Division of North region said, "These areas at Akurli bridge are the biggest accident spot on the WEH."

Siddhesh Vengurlekar, Mayank Yadav and Manoj Pawar lost their lives at the spots

‘Very late action'
On February 6, 2018, 26-year-old Siddhesh Vengurlekar, a resident of Thakur Complex at Kandivli East, died at the spot. Family and friends of Siddhesh claimed that he lost control of his bike due to the divider (towards Churchgate) and fell and received injuries on the chest. mid-day had reported this accident. His brother Paresh said, "It pains me every time I cross the spot. The divider had metal parts installed which killed my brother."

Siddhesh's closest friend Viraj Ghanekar said, "We complained to the police and also to the BMC and NGOs to get the divider removed. It's killed many people in the past. It's quite late that MMRDA is removing the divider. It will save many lives."

‘Divider to blame'
Mayank Yadav died on January 6, 2020 when returning from college at the spot. His sister Kiran said, "On the highway at Kandivli (towards Virar), a truck driver hit him from behind after he lost control due to the divider, and Mayank died on the spot. When we reached the spot many people told us that due to the divider many accidents have taken place at this place."

Barricade killed rider
Sadly, when the divider was removed from one side (towards Virar), a barricade that was allegedly wrongly placed there, caused another accident at the spot, in which one person died.

Manoj Kashinath Pawar, 28, died when due to strong winds, the barricade fell on his bike. Pawar was killed on the spot and his friend Prashant Amberkar was seriously injured.

A complainant and witness to the accident, Paresh Darji said, "Pawar was crushed under a truck wheel. I informed the police and also rushed the other injured person to hospital."

mid-day had reported this story, ‘Truck Driver innocent, say family members of accident victim, on September 14, 2020. The incident was captured in CCTV installed on the spot.

3
Average no. of people who die at these spots every year as per a police report