The traffic nightmare on and around the Bandra-Worli Sea Link remained on Thursday, though to a lesser degree than the first day, marked by jams and illegal U-turns. The jams were lighter on the bridge but remained at the Worli end and on connecting roads . The time taken to cross the bridge was shorter, but nowhere near the promised seven minutes.

“It took me 20 minutes to cross the sea link from Bandra. It was fine till about half a kilometre from the Worli end, where I got caught in a long traffic jam. Even after leaving the bridge, there was a long delay,” said J P Bairagra, who travelled to the airport.

The traffic police expected the situation to improve further, with fewer vehicles once a toll is levied. “There is an improvement since Wednesday and as time goes by the snarls are expected to go down,” said DCP (Traffic) Shahaji Solunkhe.

On Wednesday many drivers took illegal U-turns through gaps between the dividers. On Thursday the traffic police tightened patrol along the entire stretch. “We are looking out for joy-riders who pose a danger to other vehicles, as well as on illegal U-turns. We have now posted around 30 officials at intervals,” said Solunkhe.

Traffic police officials say they have urged the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation for dividers that would discourage U-turns. “Till such dividers come, we have to do something to prevent U-turns.”

Most police officials have speed-guns to apprehend drivers who exceed the speed limit.