Is coastal road a better solution as compared to Sea Link extension from Worli to Haji Ali ? We should make a choice based on the numbers and not just feeling . First of all , we must recognize that both the alternatives are wrong ones to choose from .
In a narrow sense, the congestion point is Haji Ali and hence increasing no of lanes available upto Haji Ali is simply not even relevant. We will end up with longer back log of vehicles backwards especially as we enter the three lane Pedder Rd in the morning ( the situation is not much better in the noon or evening either!)
secondly, we must understand that this will improve the access only to cars and it is not such a good idea that we spend so much of money to take more cars to narrow South which has its own parking problems as it is !
We need to conduct or justify any decision by traffic counts. It is surprising that Govt does not have breakdown of traffic volume by number of cars, taxies and buses ( besides trucks) and no of passengers carried by them -every hour of the day. We may find that the thruput of vehicles ( and consequently people ) may be less during the peak rush hour than the hours before or after. If this is the case , we can help overcome the problem by better lane discipline. As a second step, we can earmark one lane for buses on key and congested parts of the main arteries – at least during the peak rush hours !
This first step can start a virtuous cycle and it will suggest the solutions by itself.
Our experience at a few locations such as Mahim causeway indicates that lane discipline ( and bus priority) improves the thruput of people and reduction in traffic tensions by as much as 20 to 30% at virtually no cost. It is time that such low cost solutions which reduce the traffic noise and tension and improves thruput and calming should be getting at least 20% mind space as compared to mega (and pro car and anti public transport ) solutions such as sea link extension or coastal roads which are bad in economics and environment!
what do you think ?
Posted by MESN Transport (mesn.org) 
