Rumours fly thick and fast ahead of PM Modi’s Mumbai visit today

Giant cutouts of PM Narendra Modi and other leaders are seen in Kalanagar ahead of the PM’s visit. Pic/Atul Kamble

Confusion reigned ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city, especially at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), as unverified messages and rumours spread like wildfire on social media.

According to some messages, offices would be shut around noon on Thursday and the Western Express Highway (WEH) and all the roads leading to BKC would be closed.

The Mumbai Police, however, clarified that no such restrictions had been imposed and business activities would continue as scheduled. Traffic cops, meanwhile, said that citizens could expect slow-moving traffic on the Western Express Highway. The movement of heavy vehicles on the WEH has been restricted from 12 noon to 9 pm, but ambulances, school buses and regular buses have been exempted.

DCP (PRO) Prashant Kadam said, "Many unverified messages are doing the rounds about the closure of BKC offices on Thursday. The Mumbai Police hasn't invoked any such restrictions and business activities in the area will continue like any normal day."

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However, a senior police officer said, the prime minister's visit is being overseen by the Special Protection Group hence there won't be much information about restrictions in the public domain.

About 900 police officers and 3,562 constables will help keep Modi secure.

Thursday will be a regular working day at the family court in BKC. Advocate Shraddha Dalvi, secretary, Family Court Bar Association, said, "We have not received any instructions from the Bombay High Court about changes in working hours."

Sufian Ahmed, an HR professional who works for a BKC-based finance company, said, "There is no clarity about the traffic movement and restrictions or whether personal vehicles will be allowed or not or which roads will be functional."

The traffic police, meanwhile, tweeted, "Due to planned public function in BKC and Gundavli Metro station tomorrow, expect slow movement of traffic on south-bound carriageway from 4.15 pm to 5.30 pm and north-bound carriageway of WEH from 5.30 pm to 6.45 pm. Citizens are advised to plan commute accordingly (sic)."

Those who plan to attend the rally at BKC have been asked to park their vehicles at Mumbai University in Kalina.