A 48-year-old police constable was killed after a piling rig collapsed near Vashi Bridge on Tuesday night, but traffic police said the massive gridlock that paralysed the Sion-Panvel corridor over the next two days was primarily caused by ongoing roadwork and lane diversions near Mankhurd.
Officials from the Mankhurd traffic division said the collapse, which took place around 10.30 pm on April 28, did not directly lead to the prolonged congestion seen on Wednesday and Thursday. “Traffic built up due to lane narrowing and diversions for roadwork on both Mumbai- and Vashi-bound sides. During peak hours, this created a major bottleneck,” an officer said.
Constable killed
Heavy traffic on the Chedda Nagar-Mankhurd Road leaves commuters and motorists stranded even on Thursday evening. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
The victim, Santosh Chavan, 48, was attached to the Nehru Nagar Police Station in Kurla. He was returning home after duty when the piling rig lost balance and collapsed on him. A colleague, requesting anonymity, said, “He was very cool and helpful. He had been attached to the Nehru Nagar police station for the last two years and was posted at the East Region Additional Commissioner’s office in Chembur.” His family was waiting for him for dinner when news of his death reached home.
Gridlock intensifies
Traffic worsened significantly by Wednesday evening.
>> Around 5.30 pm, vehicles were stuck for over 30 minutes without movement
>> Continuous honking added to the chaos
>> Commuters were seen stepping out of vehicles in frustration
>> With no shops along the stretch, many struggled to access drinking water
>> Despite the deployment of six to seven traffic personnel at the Mankhurd T-junction, managing the flow remained difficult due to heavy traffic volume and restricted road space
Probe on, machine repaired
>> Workers were seen repairing the piling machine on Thursday but declined to comment.
>> A senior officer from Mankhurd Police Station said a case has been registered and those responsible have been booked.
>> Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare was unavailable for comment.
Why the jam?
>> Road construction on both Mumbai- and Vashi-bound sides
>> Lane narrowing and traffic diversions
>> Peak-hour traffic surge
>> Limited carriageway space near Mankhurd junction
Timeline
Tuesday, 10.30 pm: Piling rig collapses near Vashi Bridge; Constable Santosh Chavan killed
Wednesday evening: Heavy congestion begins due to lane diversions and roadwork
Thursday afternoon: Traffic slows near Mankhurd T-junction; delays of one to two hours reported
Thursday, 5.30 pm: Severe gridlock; vehicles stuck for over 30 minutes
Voices from the jam
Santosh Sutar, Congress leader from Nerul
“I had gone to Mumbai to meet a minister. While returning, I planned to take a boy from my area for treatment, but I was stuck in traffic for at least one hour. I reached Nerul around 11.30 pm.”
Pratik Yadav, Social activist
“It is very sad that a 48-year-old constable lost his life without any mistake. The contractor’s negligence has cost a life. BMC should take strict action. Also, people struggled for water and even toilets as there are no shops on that stretch.”
Vipul Yadav, an IT engineer and Nerul resident
“I left from near Masjid at 8.30 pm but reached home only around 2 am due to traffic.”
