J J Flyover’s Green Median Project Faces Opposition
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is pushing ahead with an ambitious beautification initiative for the J J Flyover, also known as the Qutb-e-Konkan Makhdoom Ali Mahimi Flyover. The project, set to transform the flyover’s median into a green space with trees designed to act as noise barriers, is slated for completion in two months.
However, the project has encountered significant resistance from both the traffic department and local activists, casting a shadow over its swift execution. Initiated at the end of 2024, the project aims to plant trees along the 2.1 km long road divider of the flyover. These trees are expected to mitigate noise pollution, enhancing the urban landscape of this crucial stretch. Bhushan Gagrani, the civic chief, visited the site on February 13 and ordered a comprehensive beautification plan, including the installation of uniform protective railings and attractive landscaping, with an emphasis on noise reduction. The plan also includes a creative component, with three old BEST double-decker buses being repurposed as art galleries, cafeterias, and libraries, enhancing public amenities under the flyover.
However, the beautification project has run into multiple roadblocks. A key concern has been the lack of clearance from the traffic department, which has yet to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the project. Pradnya Jedge, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), pointed out that the necessary permissions have not yet been granted, creating a potential delay in the project’s implementation. Further complicating matters, local activists have filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court, challenging the legality of the beautification work. They argue that BMC’s plan unlawfully encroaches on road space by expanding the median, potentially worsening traffic conditions. In their view, the initiative disregards the concerns of commuters and residents who rely on the flyover for daily travel.
In defense of the project, a BMC official clarified that the beautification is limited to enhancing the existing median and that security measures, including prohibiting overnight occupancy, will be implemented. The court is expected to hear the matter soon, which could have a significant impact on the future of the green median proposal. While the vision of a more aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly J J Flyover is compelling, the ongoing legal and administrative challenges suggest that the project may face delays before it can be realised. As the case moves through the legal system and the traffic department reviews its position, the fate of this ambitious urban upgrade hangs in the balance.