Representatives of 'Justice for Ghodbunder Road' made this demand in a meeting with the Thane Municipal Administration and other government agencies on Monday that the Thane and Ghodbunder roads, which are heavily laden with heavy vehicles, are facing major traffic congestion during the monsoon season against this backdrop, heavy vehicle traffic should be allowed only after 9 pm during the monsoon season. Commissioner Rao suggested that the Transport Department should discuss this further and take a decision in this regard.
The Mumbai-Nashik and Ghodbunder routes pass through Thane Municipal Corporation, with heavy vehicles using these routes to reach places like JNPT Port at Uran, Gujarat, Mumbai, and Bhiwandi. These vehicles are allowed in the city between 11 pm and 5 am, and 12 pm to 4 pm, but they still cause traffic jams in Thane and Ghodbunder outside these hours. The situation worsens during the monsoon, and accidents can lead to even worse congestion. In response, the 'Justice for Ghodbunder Road' group has asked that heavy vehicle traffic be limited to after 9 pm during the monsoon season.
On Monday evening, a meeting was held at the Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao's office to discuss solutions for issues faced by citizens on Ghodbunder Road. The meeting covered topics like pending works, CCTV networks, road repairs in signal areas, and coordination between different agencies during excavation work. The representatives from 'Justice for Ghodbunder Road' raised concerns about traffic congestion caused by heavy vehicles during the monsoon. They suggested that traffic should be controlled and heavy vehicles should only be allowed after 9 pm.
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Commissioner Rao instructed the transport department to discuss and decide on this matter. He also discussed the Kasarvadavali flyover project and said that the Metro should complete its work by March 30 and 31. Additionally, the Public Works Department was asked to repair the roads on April 5th and 6th, with support from the traffic police.
Rao also clarified that the RMC plant in Anandnagar should stop work as it doesn't have permission. He mentioned that, while granting permission for weekly markets, the organisers would need to clean up the area with municipal employees after the market ends. He also directed a study on the possibility of holding the weekly market at Anandnagar ground.
The meeting also discussed increasing the number of traffic wardens. Commissioner Rao told the Metro and Public Works Department to plan better to ensure that the wardens are helpful in controlling traffic, addressing any problems, and resolving salary issues.