Navi Mumbai cops issue traffic advisory in light of morcha

Navi Mumbai traffic police personnel monitor motorists near Kolkhe village in Panvel on Thursday. PIC/PRASUN CHOUDHARI

The weekend will start from Friday for most. But if you are planning to go on a trip, please check the advisory issued by the Navi Mumbai traffic police before stepping out. Alternative routes have been created across the city as lakhs of Maratha reservation activists are scheduled to reach Navi Mumbai and then Mumbai's Azad Maidan where activist Manoj Jarange-Patil plans to go on a hunger strike.

Milind Bharambe, commissioner of police, Navi Mumbai, said the protesters were about to reach Navi Mumbai on Thursday evening and advised citizens to the Navi Mumbai police's X handle to get updates about roads that have been shut and their alternatives. The protesters will halt at the APMC market in Sanpada on Thursday, where they will stay the night. To avoid any traffic in the Navi Mumbai city and on the Sion Panvel highway.

The Navi Mumbai traffic police had instructed the protesters to take the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway to reach Panvel and then make their way to the market via Palm Beach Road. "We have kept the Sion-Panvel Highway open for vehicles as it is a busy stretch and connected to different districts and states. However, during the procession, vehicles will not be allowed on Palm Beach Road. People heading towards Mumbai can also use the newly opened Mumbai Trans Harbour Link," said a senior officer.

Restricted routes

The advisory issued by the police read, "Motorists using the Expressway are restricted from entering Kon phata and are advised to go to Kalamboli circle and take the desired route to reach their destination. Meanwhile, motorists from Pune using the expressway are restricted from commuting between Borle toll naka and Palasapa phata and are instead advised to use Khalapur or Khopoli road. Vehicles coming from Khalapur and Rasayani to Dund phata via Dandphata are restricted from heading towards Palaspa phata circle and are advised to go to Kalamboli circle to reach the destination."

It further read, "All vehicles are restricted from entering Palaspa phata and, hence, a diversion has been provided. Vehicles coming towards Mumbai and Navi Mumbai from Goa are advised to take the left from Kharpada to Sai gaon, Dighode gaon and Chirner to reach their destination. Vehicles travelling to Pune and Goa from D Point are advised to go to Kalamboli circle to Chinchpada underpass to Gavhan phata, Uran, Chirner, Saigaon and the desired place.

Vehicles going to Kon phata from Panvel and New Panvel have to take the Kalamboli circle route. Vehicles going to JNPT from Kalamboli Circle, Karanjade and Panvel City are restricted from entering D point and have to use Panvel's internal roads. Vehicles coming from JNPT NH 4B and Gavhan phata to Killa Junction have to take the service road of Navi Mumbai International Airport from Ulwe to Chinchpada to the desired place."

Police bandobast

A senior police officer said, "A large police force comprising 3,000 personnel and senior officers has been deployed. The traffic division has also made sure that the procession remains peaceful and residents are not disturbed. Various diversion routes for traffic have been designated for residents to ensure no inconvenience."

3,000
No of police personnel deployed