Mulund's Deadly Crossroads: Why Are Pedestrians Still Losing Their Lives?

It's a story that, heartbreakingly, seems to repeat itself far too often in Mulund. Just recently, a 70-year-old woman, Pushpa Devi Kesarwani, was tragically killed by a truck while simply trying to cross the Mulund East-West bridge. Imagine, a walk that should be routine, ending in such sudden, devastating loss. This isn't an isolated incident, not by a long shot; it's the eighth pedestrian fatality in Mulund this year alone, painting a grim picture of a suburb grappling with an alarming rise in road accidents.

The Mulund East-West bridge, in particular, has become a notorious black spot, a place where danger lurks for those on foot. It’s a stark reality that eight out of the eleven total fatalities in Mulund this year have been pedestrians, often vulnerable individuals like senior citizens. When you compare this to last year's figures – 5 pedestrian deaths out of 13 total fatalities – the upward trend is deeply unsettling. It really makes you wonder: what exactly is going wrong?

Now, it's not as if there are no rules in place. Far from it. The authorities have actually implemented a specific restriction: heavy vehicles, especially those weighing over 16,000 kg or multi-axle trucks, are supposed to be banned from entering Mulund between 6 AM and 10 PM. This sensible regulation was put in place precisely to protect pedestrians during peak hours. But here's the rub: enforcement seems to be a persistent challenge, leaving residents frustrated and, tragically, exposed to danger.

Police officials, it seems, are grappling with a complex problem. Mulund acts as a crucial bypass for traffic heading towards Thane and Navi Mumbai, which complicates things immensely. Drivers, when stopped, often have a ready excuse: they're either carrying 'essential services' – think water tankers, BMC vehicles, milk vans, ambulances – or they claim to be heading to godowns within the area. And with the octroi naka, which used to be a natural choke point for checks, now gone, it's become even harder to monitor and control the influx of these massive vehicles.

But for the residents, excuses simply aren't enough when lives are at stake. They're crying out for stricter measures, and frankly, who can blame them? Calls for proper speed breakers, synchronized signals, and a more visible, active police presence are growing louder. They want, and frankly deserve, to feel safe walking in their own neighbourhood. Imagine living with the constant fear that a simple trip to the market or a stroll in the evening could turn fatal because a truck, shouldn't be there in the first place, barrels through.

This isn't just about traffic management; it's about the very quality of life and the fundamental right to safety in our public spaces. Our senior citizens, in particular, deserve to navigate their community without constant dread. The authorities need to move beyond just rules on paper and ensure they're rigorously enforced. Perhaps leveraging technology, like Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, at key entry points, coupled with stiffer penalties for violators, could be part of the solution. Ultimately, a concerted effort from traffic police, local administration, and active community participation is crucial to prevent Mulund's roads from becoming any more of a death trap for its most vulnerable citizens.