“The smoother traffic flow at the Peddar Road is primarily because we enforced parking restrictions strictly, besides publicising route diversions in a big way so that maximum people were aware of the diversions,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sanjay Barve, while talking about the success of the traffic diversions that have apparently made the traffic flow smooth in the South Mumbai.

A day before the traffic diversions were implemented at the Peddar Road, around 10,000 pamphlets containing instructions about the diversions were distributed to residents in the locality. Also, diversion boards were put at 5 major junctions throughout South Mumbai at Walkeshwar, Churchgate, Regal, Mohammed Ali Road and P D’Mello Road. “Apart from the five major junctions, similar boards were put up at lot of other places throughout the area. The way in which the information about the diversions was given out made a huge contribution to the smooth process of the diversions,” said Barve.

Barve also said that the diversions have reduced traffic in the area by 20-30% as Gamadia Road has become one-way and motorists have to take diversions. “The diversions will be taken away on Sunday most probably,” Barve added.

Maninder Singh, secretary, Peddar Road Residents Association, said that trafiic has become smoother than usual days after diversion. “From what I have seen, the traffic flow is much smoother at this stage than what it was earlier. Moreover, the diversion has been very well managed, and as a resident of the Peddar Road, I can say that the diversions are a welcome relief. The BMC and the Traffic Police department deserve full marks for the way they have managed the diversions so successfully,” Singh said.

Agreeing with Singh, Geeta Patel, a Peddar Road resident, said: “The diversions have been a blessing, especially after the Gamadia Road has become one-way and has reduced traffic snarls to a major extent. The other day, I had gone to see the diggings work at the stretch and found that the drive was much smoother than what it used to be before the diversions.”