Mumbai: BKC Traffic Congestion Solution: MMRDA to Widen Roads, Remove Cycle Tracks, and Implement One-Way System
Mumbai, 12th May 2025: Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), a 370-hectare hub for finance, business, and innovation, is set for major traffic relief as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) rolls out a comprehensive decongestion plan. With over 600,000 daily commuters and the recent closure of the Sion bridge diverting even more vehicles into BKC, severe traffic jams have become a daily ordeal.
To address this, MMRDA has approved a strategy to convert underused cycle tracks into new vehicular lanes and introduce a one-way traffic system across key internal roads. The plan, finalised at a recent authority meeting, is designed to expand road capacity by 50%, increasing each lane’s capacity by 600–900 vehicles. “Through MMRDA’s strategic plan, we are improving BKC’s infrastructure by widening roads and introducing a one-way traffic system. These steps will sharply cut congestion, shorten travel time, and make BKC efficient and accessible to commuters,” an MMRDA official said.
Under the initiative, the removal of cycle tracks-originally revived in 2014-will allow carriageways to expand from two lanes in each direction to three, with supporting infrastructure like streetlights, trees, and bus stops relocated to the footpaths. Peak-hour travel time is expected to drop from 25 minutes to 15 minutes, a 40% reduction, while waiting times at signals and bottlenecks will decrease by 30%. These changes are also projected to lower carbon emissions by 30% due to reduced idling and improved traffic flow.
The plan is supported by traffic studies and expert recommendations, with the one-way system specifically aimed at easing pressure on stretches like the Bandra-Kurla Link Road between Kalanagar Junction and Bharat Diamond Bourse. MMRDA officials emphasise that these measures are necessary to keep pace with BKC’s growing economic significance and surging visitor numbers. The overhaul is expected to provide both immediate and long-term relief for commuters, making BKC more efficient and accessible as Mumbai’s premier business district.
