Mumbai News: MMRDA To Widen Roads, Remove Cycle Tracks And Introduce One-Way System To Ease BKC Traffic

In a major move to address growing traffic congestion in the bustling Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) area, authorities have unveiled a comprehensive traffic management plan that includes converting underutilized cycle tracks into additional vehicular lanes and introducing a one-way traffic system across key roads in the area. 

According to the MMRDA, several underutilized cycle tracks across BKC will be repurposed into vehicular lanes to expand existing road widths. This conversion is projected to increase traffic capacity by 600–900 vehicles per lane. Supporting infrastructure such as streetlights, signboards, trees, bus stops, and landscaped elements will be relocated to the footpaths to facilitate the expansion.

"As part of this initiative, the existing carriageway will be widened by removing the cycle track, increasing lane capacity from 2+2 lanes to 3+3 lanes—an overall 50% increase. This enhancement is expected to reduce peak-hour travel time from 25 minutes to 15 minutes, saving 10 minutes, which represents a 40% reduction in travel time," stated an official.

"As a result, the average waiting time at signals or bottlenecks will decrease from 10 minutes to 7 minutes, saving 3 minutes—a 30% reduction in waiting time. This reduction in idling time will also lower carbon emissions. Based on a petrol car emitting approximately 170 grams of CO₂ per kilometer, and considering a 2.3 km effective time-distance saving at an average speed of 40 km/h, CO₂ emissions during waiting time are expected to drop by 30%—from 1,133 grams to 793 grams per vehicle," he added.

The proposed transformations include several road widening initiatives. First, an existing 2+2 lane road with lane widths of 7 meters each and a 2.7-meter-wide cycle track will be expanded to a 3+3 lane configuration, with each carriageway widened to 9.7 meters.

Second, another 2+2 lane road with 7-meter-wide lanes and a 1.5-meter cycle track will be expanded to a 3+3 lane road, with each carriageway widened to 8.5 meters.

Finally, a 1+1 lane road with lanes of 3.5 meters each and a 1.5-meter cycle track will be expanded to a 2+2 lane configuration, with each carriageway widened to 5.0 meters.

One-Way Traffic System

To streamline internal vehicular movement and reduce congestion in the busiest sections of BKC, a one-way traffic system will be implemented. According to the MMRDA, this solution—backed by expert recommendations and traffic studies—is expected to significantly enhance traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks.

"MMRDA’s proactive and data-driven approach reflects its commitment to preserving BKC's efficiency and connectivity while supporting its continued growth as a financial epicentre," read an official statement.

According to an official, these long-term and short-term interventions are designed to provide immediate relief from congestion while also enabling the district to sustainably accommodate future increases in traffic and pedestrian movement. The detailed traffic management plan for BKC, prepared by the MMRDA, was presented and approved in the last Authority Meeting chaired by the MMRDA chairman.

An MMRDA official said, "Through the MMRDA's strategic plan, we are enhancing BKC's infrastructure by expanding roads and implementing a one-way traffic system. These measures will significantly reduce congestion, improve travel times, and make BKC more efficient and accessible for commuters. This decision is the result of careful consideration of BKC’s growing economic importance and increasing footfall."

Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), spread across 370 hectares, is one of Mumbai’s premier commercial and financial districts. As a thriving hub of economic activity, BKC continues to witness steady growth in both employment and visitor footfall, cementing its role as the city's nerve centre for finance, commerce, and innovation. With approximately 2 lakh employees and nearly 4 lakh visitors entering the area daily, traffic congestion—especially during peak hours—has emerged as a pressing challenge.

Due to the shutdown of the Sion bridge, most of the traffic has been diverted towards BKC. While the BKC lanes are designed for smaller vehicles, heavy vehicles such as trucks and multi-capacity transporters are now being routed through this stretch, leading to increased congestion. To tackle this situation, both short-term and long-term measures are being implemented.

Despite being well-connected through public transport, BKC continues to face heavy traffic congestion—particularly along the Bandra-Kurla Link Road (BKLR) from Kalanagar Junction to Bharat Diamond Bourse. The situation has been further aggravated by ongoing infrastructure works such as the Sion Flyover reconstruction.