Autobayng News Team
Transport experts argue that the hyper-competitive delivery deadlines imposed by online platforms are fueling lawlessness.“>
In the wake of the crash involving a pickup truck driving on the wrong side of Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Palghar that claimed 13 lives, Mumbai Traffic Police have intensified their crackdown on wrong-side driving and heavy vehicles flouting the peak-hour movement ban.
In the past one week, more than 2,500 challans have been issued to delivery riders for various violations, including signal jumping and wrong-side driving, and 170 heavy vehicles have been penalised and 39 impounded for plying on city roads during restricted hours — between 7am and 11am and 5pm and 9pm.
Between Jan 1 and May 23, the traffic branch has taken action against 6,380 motorcyclists for riding against the flow of traffic.
“We have identified hotspots where wrong-side driving is rampant,” said joint commissioner of police (Traffic), Satya Narayan. “FIRs are being registered to send a strong message that wrong-side driving will not be tolerated,” he added.
Over the weekend, motorists have tagged police on X and complained of wrong-side driving at Worli, Gulmohar Road at Juhu, and on Mahim Dargah Road, among other locations.
Traffic police said they will also focus on motorcyclists riding on footpaths. They said maximum number of complaints regarding wrong-side driving pertain to delivery personnel working for online food delivery and quick commerce apps. Satya Narayan stated that the traffic department plans to summon representatives from these online platforms to share violation data and demand accountability.
Transport experts argue that the hyper-competitive delivery deadlines imposed by online platforms are fueling lawlessness. “There is tremendous pressure on delivery personnel to meet the ‘10-minute delivery’ deadlines set up by online platforms,” said activist Mohammad Afzal. “These delivery deadlines result in violations. In an economy where youth struggle for employment, they will do whatever it takes to keep their jobs, even if company rules risk their lives.”
Motorcyclists and their pillions are also vulnerable to the fatal consequences of wrong-side riding. In Feb, 13-year-old Ayat Bora was killed near the Eastern Freeway ramp at Mazgaon while riding pillion with her father, Abdul Wahid Bora. Abdul was forced to swerve to avoid hitting a police jeep driving on the wrong side. The motorcycle skidded, throwing the teenager directly into the path of a container truck.
Heavy vehicles are prohibited to ply on major roads, flyovers and highways between 7am and 11am and 5pm and 9pm, but they violate this rule, causing snarls and sometimes, resulting in crashes.
Afzal emphasised that for the city’s roads to truly become safe, enforcement must take place throughout the year, and not be limited to the ‘Road Safety Fortnight’ in Jan.
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