BKC is located between Bandra and Kurla railway stations and can be accessed through the Western Express Highway via the Kalanagar Junction and BKC Road. Then there is a BKC-Chunabhatti connector to the Eastern Express Highway as well.
Explaining the need for the study, MMRDA said it intends to bring in a consultant to prepare a detailed mobility plan integrated with technology solutions to address the existing problems and future concerns which may impact the access-egress at BKC via by all modes, thus impacting the investment potential at BKC. The traffic scenario is expected to intensify after the bullet train terminus and the International Financial and Services Centre (IFSC) come up, said MMRDA officials.
Metropolitan commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said, “For instance, there is a bottleneck at the entrance of BKC from the Kala Nagar side entrance for which the consultant will help find solutions. It will also help provide solutions for streamlining of BEST bus services. The plan will ensure BKC is pedestrian-friendly too.”
More than 6.4 lakh people travel daily to BKC. MMRDA said the plan will be developed with an overarching goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the BKC area and enabling the government agency to seek carbon credits.
Currently, it takes almost an hour to reach Kurla station from BKC by BEST buses.
An MMRDA official said, “The consultant may look at the feasibility of dedicated bus lanes to encourage public transportation.”
Since BKC will be connected by the upcoming Metro Line 2B (DN Nagar to Mandale) and Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz), Mukherjee said the consultant will also check the feasibility of providing direct access from offices of business hubs to these Metro stations so that the crowds do not spill on to the streets during morning and evening peak hours.
The consultant will conduct the origin-destination survey to identify trip behaviour based on which the traffic plan will be prepared.
There will be an emphasis on safety as consultants will study and collect the necessary data on blackspots. MMRDA will prepare a detailed design of the blackspots with appropriate measures to create zero accident-prone areas.
BKC Road is dotted with several junctions, which the consultant will study and recommend making signal-free by providing flyovers or subways, wherever is feasible, to ensure quicker movement.
Along with pedestrian counts, the consultants will also conduct a tracking survey of crossing movement along each corridor in the study area and suggest measures to prevent jaywalking.
MMRDA has also constructed a flyover as part of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road and Kalanagar junction improvement project to ensure better entry and exit.
