Mumbai: Cops gear up for triple challenge

Busy traffic intersection in South Mumbai. File pic

The Mumbai police face a tough challenge today, managing security for three big events: the MNS Jahir Sabha at Shivaji Park in Dadar, INDIA bloc's Jahir Sabha in BKC and an IPL match at Wankhede Stadium. Despite the large crowds expected, officials are confident in their ability to maintain law and order.

Police Bandobast

"We are coordinating closely with the organisers to ensure that everything runs smoothly," said a police officer from the police control room. "Additional personnel will be deployed to manage traffic," the official added. The clash in schedules has stretched the resources of the police, but they remain confident in their ability to manage the events. "We have a comprehensive plan in place," said Satyanarayan Chaudhary, joint CP (Law & Order). He added, "We have a force of approximately 9,000 personnel, and hence no additional forces are required for the bandobast."

Sources from the Marine Drive police station informed mid-day, "Bandobast at Wankhede Stadium will be deployed as usual. The rest of the force will be sent to Shivaji Park for bandobast there." Dr Pravin Munde, DCP Zone - 1, informed, "We have sufficient force for the bandobast for IPL. Additionally, the stadium also has its private security. We have a total force of 300 personnel deployed for IPL bandobast, which includes 50 officers."

Traffic Bandobast

M. Ramkumar, ACP (Traffic), said, "We've deployed bandobast, but highways may experience backlog due to large crowds heading to the events." Pradnya Jegde, deputy commissioner of police (Traffic South), said, "A force of 30 odd personnel from the local traffic chowki along with 50 odd traffic officials from other chowkies will be deployed at Wankhede Stadium for traffic bandobast. The rest of the force from the traffic division under my command will be sent to Shivaji Park."

Samashan Pawar, DCP (Traffic Central), said, "For Jahir Sabha a large number of vehicles are expected on WEH and EEH. So traffic congestion is possible, especially on the road leading to the venue. We have issued an advisory and will be having a traffic bandobast. If required, we will also be diverting traffic from routes leading to the venue."

For those attending the rally, here's where to drop off and park:

1. From the western and northern suburbs: Drop off at Senapati Bapat Road, then park at Mahim Reti Bander, Kohinoor PPL parking, Indiabulls Finance Centre PPL parking, Kamagar Stadium, or Senapati Bapat Road. Light vehicles can park at IndiaBulls One center PPL parking.

2. From Thane and Navi-Mumbai: Drop off near Dadar T T Circle, then park at Five Gardens, Matunga, or R A K 4 Roads.

3. From South Mumbai: Drop off at Ravindranath Natya Mandir, then park at IndiaBulls Finance Center PPL parking, Raheja PPL Parking, Sudam Kalu Ahire Road, Padurang Budhkar Marg Galxo Junction up to Kurne Chowk, or Sacred Heart High School upto JK Kapur Chowk.

Traffic diversions and bandobast for Shivaji Park Sabha

The Mumbai Traffic Police announced parking restrictions for the Shivaji Park Rally. Fourteen roads will be no-parking zones from 10 am to 12 am.

>> S.V.S.Road: From Baba Saheb Worlikar Chowk to Hari Om Junction.

>> Keluskar Road: South and Keluskar Road North, Shivaji Park, Dadar.

>> Entire M B Raut Marg: Shivaji Park, Dadar.

>> Pandurang Naik Marg: (Road no 5), Shivaji Park, Dadar.

>> Dadasaheb Rege Marg, Shivaji Park, Dadar.

>> Lt. Dilip Gupte Marg: From Shivaji Park Gate No. 4 to Shitaladevi Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar.

>> L. J. Road: From Gadkari Junction, Dadar to Shobha Hotel, Mahim.

>> N. C. Kelkar Road: From Hanuman Temple Junction to Gadkari Junction, Shivaji Park, Dadar.

>> T. H. Kataria Road: From Ganga Vihar Junction to Asawari Junction, Mahim.

>> Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road: From Maheshwari Circle to Kohinoor Junction, Dadar (East).

>> Tilak Road: From Kotwal Garden Circle, Dadar (West) to R.A. Kidwai Road, Matunga (East).

>> Khan Abdul Gafarkhan Road: From Sealink Road to J. K. Kapur Chwak up to Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk.

>> Thadani Road: From Poddar Hospital Junction to Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk.

>> Dr Annie Besant Road: From Poddar Hospital Junction to Dr Narayan Hardikar Junction.

Alternate routes for S.V.S. Road:

>> North Bound: From Siddhivinayak Junction to Yes Bank Junction.

>> South Bound: Dandekar Chowk left turn to Pandurang Naik Marg, Raja badhe Chwak right turn L. J. Road to Gokhale Road or N. C. Kelkar Road.