Won't like it, as there will be no respite from chock-a-block roads, as Mumbai steps out to shop and celebrate the festival of lights
Won't like it, as there will be no respite from chock-a-block roads, as Mumbai steps out to shop and celebrate the festival of lights
There is no end to commuters' woes. After the city witnessed bumper-to-bumper traffic in the absence of 1,200 traffic officials on voting day on Wednesday, traffic in the city is likely to worsen as Diwali approaches.
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As Mumbai flocks to Crawford Market and Byculla to shop for the festival of lights, officials believe jammed roads will be the order of the day.
Sanjay Barve, joint traffic police commissioner, Mumbai, said, "It is an annual affair. People from far off places travel to these areas to buy firecrackers at wholesale rates.
Though we are expecting traffic jams, we have strengthened arrangements to regulate the movement of vehicles at various junctions."
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Head Count: It was difficult for vehicles to make their way through the Dadar market, which was crowded with Diwali shoppers yesterday. |
Heavy traffic is expected at Sion, Lalbaug, Byculla and the J J flyover, Bhendi Bazaar, Kalbadevi, Ballard Pier and Marine Drive.
Chaos
Commuters dread to think about the traffic situation in the days to come. Manoj Soni, said, "It took me two and a half hours to reach CST from Vile Parle.
I spent over an hour to travel from Lalbaug to Crawford Market. I should have covered the distance in 30 minutes."
Added Rajkamal Mishra (45), who has been driving a taxi for the last 25 years in Mumbai, "The traffic congestion has worsened in the past two years.
The recent changes made by the traffic police like closing the right turn at Haji Ali junction towards Maha-laxmi station, has added to the chaos on the streets.
There have been many times when we have refused to ferry passengers because the places they want to travel are notorious for traffic jams, resulting in a loss of business. At other times, they get off midway."
99The number of CCTV cameras that will be monitored at the traffic police headquarters in Worli to control traffic jams in the city
Make Way
The visit of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez to the city today is likely to further worsen the traffic situation in Mumbai.
Several roads will be closed and traffic will be diverted at many places to ensure a smooth ride to Fernandez.
Box on President's visitThe traffic movements on the following roads at the time mentioned will be regulated and diverted.
(3 to 4 pm) Military Camp Junction (Vakola), Kalina Junction, Vidhyanagri Junction, Hansbhugra Junction, Western Express Highway up to Bandra -Worli Sea Link bridge, Khan Abdul Gafar Khan Road, Dr Annie Besant Road, Haji Ali Junction, Peddar Road, RTI Junction, Babulnath Road, Bandstandu00a0 Junction, N S Road up to Air India Junction, Madam Cama Road, Mantralaya Junction, BEST Marg, P Ramchandani Marg
(5.30 to 6.30 pm) P Ramchandani Marg, BEST Marg, Mantralaya Junction, Madam Cama Road, Air India Junction up to N S Road, Bandstand Junction, Walkeshwar Road.
(10.30 to 11.30 pm) P Ramchandani Marg, BEST Marg, Mantralaya Junction, Madam Cama Road, Air India Junction up to N S Road, Bandstand Junction, Babulnath Road, RTI Junction, Peddar Road, Haji Ali Junction, Dr Annie Besant Road, Khan Abdul Gafar Khan Road, Bandra-Worli Sea Link Bridge up to Western Express Highway, Hansbhugra Junction, Vidhyanagri Junction, Kalina Junction, Military Camp Junction (Vakola).
To avoid inconvenience and delay in traffic use alternative roads likeu00a0 Dr B A Road (Sion), J J flyover, S V Road,u00a0 L J Road (Mahim), Senapati Bapat Marg.
