MUMBAI, Dec. 30 -- At least four people died in road accidents every day in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in the first 11 months of the year, begging the question: is the development juggernaut that's awakening towns and cities around Mumbai exacting a human cost? According to figures with the state transport department, 1,428 people died in 5,508 road accidents across MMR, including Mumbai, from January to November this year. This was a marginal increase, from 1,403 fatalities from 5,448 accidents, during the same period in 2024, and 1,376 fatalities from 5,450 accidents in 2023. After Mumbai (326), the highest number of fatalities were in Navi Mumbai (257), followed by Palghar (246). As far as accidents, Mumbai is ranked on top at 2,381, followed by Thane at 900 and Thane-city at 745. Even though the numbers have remained largely consistent for the last three years, experts sound alarm bells over systemic failures in urban planning, road safety and the sheer explosion in the number of vehicles registered every year. The MMR region consists of Mumbai, Thane, Mira Bhayandar, Vasai Virar, Navi Mumbai, Palghar and some towns in Raigad. Data released by the state transport department reveals a staggering 753 vehicles per square kilometre in Mumbai, which alone has over 15 lakh registered vehicles. Putting motorists' lives at risk are factors such as poor roads, driver behaviour, and vehicle condition. Diving deeper, experts point out that the more road infrastructure the government builds, the more vehicles the city attracts. And this, they say, rises the potential for accidents. Dhawal Ashar, programme head in the Integrated transport team at the World Resources Institute, says, "Underpinning the development in the MMR is high-speed infrastructure to increase connectivity across the region. But road users are a very heterogeneous bunch. Bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians all share the same road space as a speeding car or dumper. This heterogeneity, unless planned for, is always going to be a high-risk situation. We need to plan for the most vulnerable road user, through the current transitional period that we are in." Also contributing in no small measure are driver behaviour and human error. "A large number of drivers ignore basic traffic laws," admits Anil Kumbhare, joint commissioner of police (traffic) in Mumbai. "Many accidents involve heavy vehicles or public and utility vehicles, where drivers are often careless. Other experts recommend restrictions on the number of vehicles on the streets. "There is a substantial rise in the number of powerful passenger vehicles, that is, SUVs & sub-SUVs. But driver training isn't keeping pace with the evolving demand for skilful driving," points out Ajay Gowale, vice-president, community impact, United Way Mumbai, a non-profit working in rural and urban communities in India. Enforcement is also weak, encouraging motorists to violate traffic rules, Gowale said. Moreover, he said, fines must be increased to become real deterrents. "Around Rs.4,600 crore is yet to be recovered from fines levied through e-challans over the last six years. We find two-wheelers, especially delivery boys, blatantly jumping signals, riding on footpaths etc." Pankaj Shirsat, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Thane, said precautionary measures have curbed accidents in the region. "This year, we have registered fewer accidents and deaths compared to last year."...