With scores of people commemorating the 69th Mahaparinirvan Diwas (the death anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar) from December 5-7, the Mumbai police is on high alert, and has issued a number of restrictions to prevent stampedes and communal tensions.
A large number of people are expected to gather at Chaityabhoomi, a pilgrimage spot in Dadar’s Chowpatty area for followers of Ambedkar.
As a result, a number of road closures have been announced in the surrounding areas, in addition to tight security arrangements at various places.
Apart from increased police presence in several areas, reports say that rapid response teams, riot control police, and bomb disposal squads have been stationed at religious areas like the Haji Ali Dargah and the Siddhivinayak Temple; railway stations, malls, and markets. Drone surveillance has also been increased in a number of areas.
A stretch of the Swatantraveer Savarkar Marg—from Siddhivinayak Mandir Junction to Hinduja Hospital—will be closed for traffic, as will a stretch of the T.H. Kataria Road—from the Shobha Hotel Junction to the Asawari Junction.
Locals coming from the Hinduja Hospital side have been advised to take a left turn at the S. Bank Junction and go to Rajabade Chowk via Pandurang Naik.
The S.K. Bole Road North Channel will also remain a one-way route from the Siddhivinayak Mandir Junction to the Portuguese Church Junction.
Closures have also been announced at Ranade Road, the Dnyaneshwar Mandir area, Jambhekar Maharaj Road, Keluskar Road South, Keluskar Road North, and the M.B. Raut Road.
Vehicles heading for South Mumbai
The following options are available for vehicles heading towards South Mumbai to avoid traffic jams:
Vehicles heading southward on the Western Express Highway (WEH) can take a left turn from Kalanagar Junction to go to the Shiv Railway Station (via the Dharavi 'T' junction), or take a right turn at the Shiv Hospital Junction via 60 Feet Road at Kumbharwada and travel further.
The traffic police have also appealed to passengers to use the Bandra-Worli Sea Link for a more direct route to South Mumbai.
Vehicles heading for North Mumbai
The following options are available for vehicles heading towards North Mumbai to avoid traffic jams:
Commuters coming from either Colaba (via the B.A. Road) or Haji Ali (via the Annie Besant Road) have been advised to use the P. D'Mello Road, Barrister Nath Pai Road, the Zakaria Bunder Road, or R.A.K. Marg.
These routes will take you under the Aurora Bridge in Matunga, from where you can take a right turn to arrive at the Shiv Hospital Junction.
The traffic police have also appealed to passengers to use the Bandra-Worli Sea Link for a more direct route to North Mumbai.
Vehicles from the Mahalaxmi Railway Station Junction
For passengers travelling from the Mahalaxmi Railway Station Junction via the North Channel, the traffic police has advised using the Dr. E. Moses Road to take a right turn at Rakhangi Chowk and proceed via the Senapati Bapat Road.