This road is really one for Orlem residents, as with no signals or a traffic island or a zebra-crossing to regulate the traffic, it’s a risk that might cost them their lives
Kunaal Majgaonkar, Orlem
Residents of Dominic Lane, Malad West can sure achieve the distinction of competing at the Olympics! They do have regular practice due to their sprint sessions to crossover to the other side of Father Justin Road before the next speeding car threatens to mow them down. Fortunately, some of them come unscathed, but there are others less fortunate.
It seems the hurdles of getting traffic islands made in Orlem are never-ending, as it was during the last councillor’s tenure that they had been promised the same. And, residents are at their wit’s end as to the reasons for the delay.
Says resident Leo Fernandes, “We are absolutely fed up with the situation here. Crossing the road to go to the market is horrific everyday. If we manage to get across safely, we look at the church and thank God.”
Incidentally, the Father Justin Road was widened and made a one-way. However, this only added to the woes of the residents, as there is no traffic signal to monitor speeding vehicles nor is there a zebra crossing for pedestrians. Unfortunately, the ones on the receiving end have been the senior citizens.
Says an elderly resident, Denzel Fernandes, “A speeding vehicle hit me, while I was crossing the road. Apart from head injuries, I had to cough up 84 thousand rupees as hospital charges. Officials will understand this only if morchas are taken out.”
Says Mary Travas, another senior citizen, “I was hit by a speeding motorist, while attempting to cross this road. Fortunately for me, it was not too serious. But, what do senior citizens do, if such behaviour continues.” She hopes the write-up will bring change for the better.
The residents were successful in getting the BMC to construct two speed-breakers a couple of months ago, but are now exhorting the officials to put up a traffic signal. Says a rather irked Melwyn, “After repeated efforts, we managed to get the speed-breakers constructed. However, traffic signals are the need of the hour. Our last corporator had promised to construct five traffic islands around the area to ease traffic woes. Till date, neither the roundabouts nor the corporator have been seen in the area.”
The worst day is Sunday, as the faithfuls come to the nearby Lourdes church adding to the chaos. In fact, the road opposite the church has large stones placed right in the middle of the road, which residents say was supposed to be a demarcation for the proposed traffic islands that never came up.
The closest traffic signal is at Mith Chowkie, quite a distance from Father Justin Road, considering the continuous flow of traffic.
Explains Corporator, Jaya Tiwana, “The measurements for the traffic islands have been taken long ago. However, the approval from the BMC has yet to be given. The islands come under the ‘Beautification’ department, and we have even identified private firms, who are willing to sponsor the project. As for the signal, we will put in an application with the Ward Office for the same.”
Says Gaikwad, Assistant Engineer (AE) Maintenance, P/ North Ward, “It is true that we have got the proposal for the traffic islands, however the road has been taken up for improvement. We are also fitting water pipelines, and so the proposal has been kept on hold. Once the improvement work is completed, we will get cracking on the traffic islands.”
One only prays there are no untoward accidents until then.