The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and local authorities are being urged to install speed breakers on Aarey Milk Colony Road, following a spate of tragic accidents that have highlighted serious safety concerns.
The call for intervention comes in the wake of recent incidents that have resulted in four fatalities and the injury of a leopard, further exacerbating the urgency for enhanced road safety measures. Range Forest Officer Narendra Muthe of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) announced plans to formally request the installation of speed breakers and rumblers on the main Aarey Milk Colony road. This move aims to address the growing risk posed by high-speed traffic, particularly during late-night and early morning hours when drivers often exceed safe speeds.
In the past week alone, the Aarey Milk Colony route has witnessed four deadly accidents. Notably, a leopard was struck by an auto-rickshaw and, despite extensive search efforts by SGNP and Thane Forest Department teams, its condition remains unknown. Camera traps have been set up in the area to monitor the situation and gather information on the animal’s fate. A wildlife enthusiast involved in the camera trapping efforts, highlighted that road upgrades to a smoother, cement concrete surface have inadvertently increased vehicle speeds. The absence of footpaths further endangers pedestrians, who are forced to navigate the road alongside speeding vehicles.
The Aarey Milk Colony route is heavily trafficked, with over 25,000 vehicles traversing daily, linking Goregaon on the Western Express Highway to Powai and Marol. Locals and wildlife advocates have expressed growing concern over the dangers posed to both pedestrians and wildlife. They argue that improved traffic regulation and increased patrolling by local police and forest officials are essential to mitigate the risks. There is a push for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and better infrastructure to protect both human and animal populations. The integration of these measures is seen as crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of all road users in this environmentally sensitive area.
