Cops to install speed cameras soon

MUMBAI: Considering the fact that motorcyclists continue to slip past the cops and use JJ flyover, the traffic police has decided to deploy additional force and speed-detecting cameras on the bridge known for its dangerous curves.

In the past few days, two men on motorcycles died while one is in a critical condition, after they met with accidents on the flyover. In March too, two men were killed in an accident on JJ flyover.

The solution according to the traffic police is deploying additional force to stop two-wheelers and installing speed-detecting cameras. “There are CCTVS on the stretch and at the entry and exit points. However, we are trying to install speed-detecting cameras which will help us penalise speeding vehicles,” said Amitesh Kumar, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

Built in 2001, the flyover cuts across the congested south Mumbai and connects Byculla to CST. Between 2005 and 2010, more than 31 two-wheeler riders died on the stretch, prompting the traffic police to impose a ban on two-wheelers on the flyover which has three black spots. However, this has not deterred bikers from not wearing helmets and speeding on the bridge which they use to avoid congestion along Mohammed Ali Road.

While the flyover is manned by traffic police in the day, the constables’ shifts end at 9pm, making the route free for bikers and joyrides. Observing this, the traffic police had in 2015 installed two rubber speedbreakers or ramblers on the two ends of the flyover.