2024-09-07 05:17:21
Mumbai : Mumbai Traffic Police has implemented a comprehensive traffic management plan to ensure smooth movement and security arrangements during the Ganpati festival between September 7 and 17, which is expected to witness a significant increase in the number of vehicles and pedestrians. The police have deployed more than 5 thousand policemen across the city to control the crowd and traffic during the 10-day festival. There will be additional police presence in major areas, especially around the big Ganpati pandals like Girgaon, Lalbaug, Andheri, Powai and Ghatkopar. Special guidelines have been issued for Ganpati pandals and organisers passing through 13 ROBs (bridges) declared dangerous by the BMC. Special traffic police arrangements have been made on one and a half days, five days, Gauri Ganpati Visarjan, seven days and Anant Chaturdashi.
Special arrangements around popular pandals
Traffic restrictions, including road closures and diversions, have been implemented on several routes leading to popular Ganesh mandals. For instance, roads around ‘Lalbaug Ka Raja’, one of the most visited pandals in the city, will be closed to vehicular traffic during peak hours. Alternate routes have been provided to ensure that movement of emergency vehicles is not disrupted.
Help desk facility
To assist the devotees, the police have set up help desks, while traffic signs have been installed at several places to guide them. Apart from this, several parking lots have also been created temporarily to avoid congestion on the main roads.
Restrictions on the entry of heavy vehicles
Heavy vehicles are prohibited from entering the city during peak hours. However, vehicles related to essential services such as milk, vegetables, police, doctors and medicines etc. are exempted.
The police have urged citizens to use public transport as much as possible to ensure traffic order and reduce traffic burden. Keeping in mind the increasing number of passengers, the police have also coordinated between BEST buses, local trains and metro services. People have been appealed to celebrate the festival in a peaceful manner.
M. Ramkumar, Additional CP, Traffic Police
Alternative route on police website
Mumbai Traffic Police has also said that it will make this information available on digital platforms to provide real-time updates about road closures, traffic jams, one-way traffic and alternate routes.
Special restrictions have been imposed on Ganpati pandals passing through these bridges:
Under Central Railway
-Ghatkopar ROB
-Curry Road ROB
-Arthur Road Jail (Chinchpokali) ROB
-Byculla ROB
Under Western Railway
-Marine Lines ROB
-Sandhurst ROB
-French ROB
-Falklands ROB
-Kennedy Rob
-Bellasis ROB
-Mahalakshmi ROB
-Prabhadevi Karol ROB
-Dadar Tilak ROB
There will be partial ban on entry of heavy vehicles on these days
On September 9, 12, 13, 14 and 18, from 11 am to 8 am the next morning