End of the Road for BKC’s Cycle Tracks as MMRDA Bets on Bigger Lanes

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated the dismantling of the 13-kilometre cycle tracks in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), particularly in the bustling G-block area, to address escalating traffic woes in the city’s premier business district. This move is part of a broader traffic management and road-widening plan aimed at expanding road capacity and enhancing vehicular flow amid surging commuter volumes.

Key Highlights of the Project and Impact:

The cycle tracks, originally sanctioned in 2011 and constructed over the following decade at a cost of nearly ₹60 crore, were envisaged as an eco-friendly transport alternative. However, the tracks have remained largely unused, often being misused as parking spaces for two-wheelers and autos.

To combat worsening congestion, exacerbated by factors like the Sion bridge closure funneling more traffic into BKC, MMRDA is reallocating the cycle track space to vehicular lanes. The current 2+2 lane roads will be widened into 3+3 lanes, potentially adding two additional lanes to the main road in G-block.

The dismantling and associated utility shifting work is estimated to cost around ₹25 crore and is expected to be completed within a month.

Traffic Situation and Expected Benefits:

BKC is a major commercial hub with a daily footfall close to six lakh people, consisting of over two lakh employees and around four lakh visitors.

Peak-hour travel along the 4-5 km stretches within BKC often took up to 45 minutes before this intervention, particularly around congestion hotspots like Income Tax junction, MTNL junction, and near corporate offices.

The road widening is anticipated to reduce peak-hour commute times by approximately 40%, shortening travel times from 25 minutes to 15 minutes and decreasing signal wait times from 10 minutes to about 7 minutes.

Reduction in vehicle idling is also expected to lower carbon emissions in the area by up to 30%, contributing to environmental benefits despite the removal of the cycling infrastructure.

Complementary Traffic Management Measures:

MMRDA and Mumbai Traffic Police are collaborating on complementary actions such as relocating road signage and traffic signals, designating no-parking and no-stopping zones, and converting certain internal roads within BKC to one-way routes, especially during peak hours.

There are also plans to restrict rickshaw parking at critical choke points to further ease congestion.

Officials are studying traffic circulation patterns to implement effective one-way systems, which may roll out progressively later in 2025.

Community Response and Perspectives:

The removal of the cycle tracks has drawn criticism from sustainable transport advocates who lament the loss of dedicated cycling space in a busy urban district.

Conversely, many office-goers and daily commuters welcome the move, citing the unused state of the tracks and the pressing need for additional road space to mitigate daily traffic snarls.

Transportation experts caution, however, that road widening alone may not fully solve congestion sustainably without parallel improvements in public transport infrastructure and non-motorized transport options.

Project Timeline and Forward Look:

The demolition work has already commenced with a priority to finish before the upcoming festival season traffic surge.

Once the project concludes, BKC’s vehicular movement is expected to become smoother, improving overall commuter experience within Mumbai’s financial district.

In conclusion, MMRDA’s decision to dismantle and repurpose the underutilized cycle tracks in BKC’s G-block into expanded vehicular lanes reflects urgent efforts to alleviate severe traffic congestion in one of Mumbai’s busiest commercial hubs. While this shift prioritizes vehicular traffic flow and commuter convenience, it also underscores ongoing challenges in balancing urban traffic management with sustainable transport development.

Source: Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Indian Express, Times of India, News18, Free Press Journal (August 12, 2025)