Mumbai: In the wake of a tragic accident involving a pickup truck driving on the wrong side of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Palghar that claimed 13 lives, the Mumbai Traffic Police have intensified their crackdown on wrong-side driving and heavy vehicles flouting the peak-hour movement ban.
Intensified Enforcement and Penalties
Over the past week, more than 2,500 challans have been issued to delivery riders for various violations, including signal jumping and wrong-side driving. Additionally, 170 heavy vehicles have been penalised, and 39 have been impounded for plying on city roads during restricted hours — between 7am and 11am and 5pm and 9pm.
Between January 1 and May 23, the traffic branch has taken action against 6,380 motorcyclists for riding against the flow of traffic. Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Satya Narayan, stated, "We have identified hotspots where wrong-side driving is rampant. FIRs are being registered to send a strong message that wrong-side driving will not be tolerated."
Public Complaints and Focus Areas
Over the weekend, motorists have tagged police on X and complained of wrong-side driving at Worli, Gulmohar Road at Juhu, and on Mahim Dargah Road, among other locations. Traffic police said they will also focus on motorcyclists riding on footpaths. They noted that a maximum number of complaints regarding wrong-side driving pertain to delivery personnel working for online food delivery and quick commerce apps. Satya Narayan stated that the traffic department plans to summon representatives from these online platforms to share violation data and demand accountability.
Expert Opinions on Root Causes
Transport experts argue that the hyper-competitive delivery deadlines imposed by online platforms are fueling lawlessness. Activist Mohammad Afzal said, "There is tremendous pressure on delivery personnel to meet the ‘10-minute delivery’ deadlines set up by online platforms. These delivery deadlines result in violations. In an economy where youth struggle for employment, they will do whatever it takes to keep their jobs, even if company rules risk their lives."
Fatal Consequences of Wrong-Side Riding
Motorcyclists and their pillions are also vulnerable to the fatal consequences of wrong-side riding. In February, 13-year-old Ayat Bora was killed near the Eastern Freeway ramp at Mazgaon while riding pillion with her father, Abdul Wahid Bora. Abdul was forced to swerve to avoid hitting a police jeep driving on the wrong side. The motorcycle skidded, throwing the teenager directly into the path of a container truck.
Heavy Vehicle Violations
Heavy vehicles are prohibited from plying on major roads, flyovers, and highways between 7am and 11am and 5pm and 9pm, but they violate this rule, causing snarls and sometimes resulting in crashes. Afzal emphasised that for the city’s roads to truly become safe, enforcement must take place throughout the year, and not be limited to the ‘Road Safety Fortnight’ in January.
Deadly Accident Prompts Action
On May 18, 13 people were killed and 16 injured when their pickup truck driving north on the wrong side of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway met with an accident. A bigger truck going south swerved to avoid the pickup and its container fell on the vehicle, carrying an engagement party of about 50, near Dhaniwari village in Dahanu. The pickup driver had allegedly avoided taking a designated U-turn about a kilometre away and had instead taken an illegal shortcut.
