Mumbai’s vital Eastern Freeway, a crucial artery connecting the city’s south to its eastern suburbs, has largely seen its streetlights restored after a period of darkness. This significant civic intervention by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) enhances commuter safety and reflects a proactive approach to urban infrastructure management. While most of the 16.8-kilometre stretch is now illuminated, a persistent dark patch near the Chembur tunnel exit underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring uniform, equitable, and sustainable lighting across the metropolis.
For several months, sections of the signal-free Eastern Freeway had plunged into darkness due to defunct streetlights, posing considerable risks to the lakhs of motorists utilising the corridor daily. This lack of adequate illumination not only compromised road safety but also detracted from the urban experience, impacting the seamless flow of traffic and potentially contributing to a sense of insecurity. The protracted period of darkness highlighted a critical gap in the city’s commitment to maintaining its infrastructure backbone, essential for a truly equitable urban environment.
Responding to public concerns and media reports, the BMC’s mechanical and electrical department swiftly initiated comprehensive repair and replacement operations. This decisive action involved the installation of new, energy-efficient LED bulbs, a move that aligns with the city’s broader agenda for zero net carbon and eco-friendly urban development. Despite initial estimates suggesting a month for the replacement of approximately 80 LED bulbs, the department commendably completed the bulk of the work in less than ten days, demonstrating commendable operational efficiency in addressing a critical civic amenity.
However, a persistent area of concern remains near the Chembur-end of the tunnel exit. A 200-metre section on either side of the tunnel, which was only recently handed over to the BMC for operations and management from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), continues to lack functional streetlights. This unlit segment, particularly as motorists exit the tunnel and turn towards Chembur, presents a significant safety hazard and highlights the complexities of inter-agency coordination in managing large-scale urban infrastructure. Ensuring complete and consistent illumination across the entire freeway is paramount for universal safety and accessibility.
The partial restoration of lighting on the Eastern Freeway is a positive step towards enhancing urban safety and sustainability. Yet, the lingering issue of the unlit Chembur tunnel exit serves as a crucial reminder that comprehensive, consistent, and equitable infrastructure provision requires continuous vigilance and seamless inter-departmental collaboration. For Mumbai to truly embody the principles of a smart, sustainable, and gender-neutral city, every stretch of its critical transport networks must be uniformly well-lit, ensuring safety and convenience for all its citizens.
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