Mumbai, June 16, 2025 — With road safety concerns mounting in Mumbai, especially in the Mahim area, local social worker Fazil Qureshi has issued a formal appeal to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, urging immediate action to make city speed breakers visible and safe. His demand follows a series of accidents—some fatal—caused by poorly marked or completely invisible speed bumps, particularly during nighttime driving.
Qureshi emphasized that unmarked speed breakers have become silent killers on Mumbai’s roads. “At night, they are practically invisible, causing serious accidents. A basic drive down some lanes in Mahim will show you how neglected the markings are,” he said. His letter to the commissioner highlights how improper maintenance, lack of reflectivity, and inadequate signage are compromising the safety of drivers and pedestrians alike.
Joining him in the appeal, senior social worker Sabir Qureshi (popularly known as Mamu) cited two recent accidents near Kashinath Building in Balamiya Lane—one of which proved fatal. He noted that while some attempts were made to repaint the breakers by local contractor Rakesh Jain, these efforts remain isolated and uncoordinated. “The problem is systemic. Unless the BMC steps in, more lives will be lost,” Mamu warned.
Activist Ateeq Patel pointed out that speed breakers are necessary in areas like Mahim due to narrow lanes and reckless two-wheeler riders, but without visibility, they become more dangerous than helpful. “If a speed breaker can’t be seen, it becomes a trap. That’s not road safety—it’s negligence,” he stated.
The group has jointly proposed a five-point safety plan, designed to be practical and immediately implementable across Mumbai. It includes the use of reflective paint—thermoplastic or retroreflective—for high visibility; installation of cat’s eye reflectors that alert drivers both visually and physically; advance placement of retroreflective signboards at 15–20 meters before each bump; solar-powered LED studs for illuminated guidance; and fully functional street lighting to enhance nighttime visibility.
In addition to these measures, the activists are demanding a city-wide audit of all existing speed breakers, with a focus on compliance with safety norms and universal implementation of these enhancements in future constructions. “We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for safety, dignity, and human lives to be respected on our roads,” Qureshi concluded.
As Mumbai continues to expand and modernize, these local voices from Mahim underscore the urgent need for basic infrastructural attention. The community now awaits a strong and immediate response from the BMC to prevent future tragedies caused by neglect.
