Mumbai To Ban Heavy Vehicles On WEH During Peak Hours
Union Commerce and Industry Minister and Mumbai North MP announced on Sunday that heavy vehicles will soon be prohibited on the Western Express Highway (WEH) during peak traffic hours. The decision comes as part of a broader plan to streamline urban mobility and upgrade civic infrastructure across Mumbai’s northern suburbs.
The move follows a five-hour inter-agency meeting held in Borivali West, attended by top officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Mumbai Police, and other civic bodies. The minister said the initiative will help improve commuter movement and cut down on air pollution caused by traffic bottlenecks.According to officials present at the meeting, approximately 108 heavy vehicles are currently being used for metro construction works and contribute significantly to congestion during peak hours.
The minister directed the MMRDA to mark such vehicles clearly with identification stickers while allowing only essential ones such as BMC garbage trucks to operate during restricted periods. Traffic police have been instructed to implement the ban after completing all formal formalities.In addition to mobility management, the meeting also focused on improving civic hygiene along the WEH. The minister expressed dissatisfaction after finding several dysfunctional public toilets along the highway and ordered immediate action. Of the 79 toilets along the route, 58 are undergoing major repairs, while 21 are being refurbished. The entire network will soon be operational with private agencies managing cleanliness and maintenance.
To address land constraints, authorities have been asked to explore the feasibility of building elevated toilet blocks where ground space is limited a step that urban planners say could serve as a model for other densely built corridors. “Accessible, hygienic public sanitation is key to building inclusive urban environments, particularly along high-traffic corridors,” said a civic infrastructure expert.Beyond these initiatives, the minister confirmed that long-pending bottlenecks in the Mumbai Coastal Road project have been resolved, clearing the way for future extensions to Dahisar and Virar. Work on the Madh–Versova bridge has been expedited, while construction of the Borivali–Thane twin tunnel is expected to commence within two months.
In a push for sustainability, the government has also ordered inspection and rejuvenation of ten lakes in north Mumbai through desilting, cleaning, and beautification drives under public–private partnerships. Officials have been instructed to crack down on mangrove encroachments, illegal dumping, and delayed slum redevelopment projects.By combining traffic regulation, sanitation upgrades, and environmental protection, the initiative marks a shift towards a more livable, equitable, and cleaner Mumbaia city striving to balance growth with ecological responsibility.
