Mumbai Built Over 55 Flyovers To Ease Traffic, But Commuters Are Still Stuck For Hours— Here’s What’s Going Wrong
In Mumbai, there are over 55 flyovers which are designed to manage traffic across busy routes, especially during busy hours. But the situation hasn’t changed much. Why so? This is because heavy trucks and buses use these flyovers heavily during peak hours. The result is crawling traffic. The situation has become a travel challenge for regular motorists. The Western and Eastern Express Highways are particularly experiencing this influx, with drivers stuck in traffic for hours.
Mid-day recently conducted a test drive on both the Western and Eastern corridors to witness the traffic situation. The conclusion that was drawn: heavy goods vehicles and outstation buses significantly contribute to traffic buildup. The report, citing experts, mentioned that one way to reduce congestion on these arterial routes could be restricting heavy vehicles from flyovers during peak periods. Traffic authorities currently limit the movement of these vehicles from 8 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 9 PM, but enforcement remains a challenge.
In the Eastern Suburbs, the Kanjurmarg flyover has been a point of concern. Although the Eastern Express Highway typically sees lighter traffic than the western corridor, congestion still occurs. From Sion to Ghatkopar, buses and small to medium goods carriers were observed on the flyover that slowed down movement, the mid-day report stated. Meanwhile, lanes beneath the flyover remained largely empty. How to ease traffic here? By diverting these heavy vehicles to the surface lanes, which could significantly ease pressure on the elevated structure.
In the Western Suburbs, the Kalina-Vakola flyover faces similar issues. Evening rush hours see traffic slowing to a crawl as heavy goods carriers, trucks and long-distance buses occupy the lanes. Like Kanjurmarg, the northbound lanes beneath the flyover are mostly empty. Moving trucks, tempos and buses could use these lower lanes, which in turn will help in improving traffic flow. Drivers of personal vehicles often remain stuck behind slower vehicles on the flyover. Better planning and vehicle segregation at key ramps could reduce these bottlenecks significantly.
The Domestic Airport flyover is another critical area where congestion is evident. In the northbound direction, tempos, medium-sized goods carriers and buses frequently use the flyover. This continuous usage appears to be a key reason for slow traffic during both morning and evening peaks. Mid-day report noted that the approach lanes, which are meant to handle overflow traffic, are often underutilised. Using these lanes more effectively for heavy vehicles could make a noticeable difference in commute times.
The Aarey Colony flyover in Goregaon also experiences heavy traffic during peak hours. Congestion is largely caused by slow-moving goods carriers, outstation buses and other heavy vehicles. Meanwhile, lanes beneath the flyover were mostly vacant. Rising numbers of construction vehicles, logistics trailers, tankers and private intercity buses are cited as contributing factors.
A senior traffic police official told Mid-day that the issue stems from network management challenges. “On the Western and Eastern Express Highways, most flyovers are part of continuous highway corridors, and we cannot arbitrarily stop trucks unless a formal restriction is notified. If we suddenly block them without an order, the decision does not stand legally, and transport operators challenge it,” he explained. He added that many drivers schedule their trips to coincide with the end of restriction hours, which often overlaps with peak commuter traffic. He further noted, “From the driver’s perspective, the flyover is the straightest route with fewer signals, so they naturally choose it.”
Voices from commuters also shed light on the daily frustration. Ratnakar Sawant, a regular traveller, told the outlet, “I get stuck on the Western Express Highway daily largely due to the presence of tankers, goods carriers, long-distance buses and tempos. The traffic police must enforce rules regarding such vehicles on flyovers, which would help ensure smoother and faster movement of vehicles.” Shilpa Nair, who works at the airport, shared a similar concern, saying, “The airport flyover should be the fastest stretch, but it’s actually the slowest. We often see buses and tempos occupying both lanes, and cars are trapped behind them.”
Transport experts have suggested several measures to manage flyover congestion. Peak-hour segregation of vehicles could redirect trucks, tankers and buses to surface lanes. With ramp-level enforcement, heavy vehicles can be prevented from entering elevated roads during busy hours. Dynamic signage and electronic boards may help alter traffic flow in real time. Dedicated time windows at night or off-peak hours could allow goods carriers to use flyovers without disrupting commuter traffic. Moreover, long-distance and contract buses could be routed via surface corridors, which could reduce their impact on elevated lanes.
Legal and academic perspectives underline the need for structured management. Lawyer Arindam Mahapatra noted, “At present, regulation focuses on city-entry timings for trucks rather than on how different vehicle types should use different layers of road space during peak hours. A parking area for trucks and buses could solve the traffic problems to a certain extent.” Architect and academician Jagdeep Desai pointed out that the city’s traffic problems have grown because planning often ignores basic traffic management principles. He suggested that instead of relying only on new infrastructure, such as flyovers, authorities may need to focus on better management of existing roads. Measures that do not require new construction, such as regulating vehicle movement and improving enforcement, could help control congestion.
