MNS-MVA protest rally: Traffic curbs in South Mumbai today; here are the roads to avoid

With large numbers of participants expected at the demonstration in Azad Maidan, the Mahapalika Marg and Mahatma Gandhi Road on both bounds — from CSMT to Metro junction — will be closed between 10 am and 7 pm for vehicles. Fire brigade, ambulance, and other government, judicial vehicles, and private vehicles on emergency services have been exempted.

Besides, Shamaldas Gandhi Road, Princess Street Bridge towards Chowpatty, and the stretch from Kalbadevi Road, Vardhaman Junction to Metro Junction will be closed. A few major roads in South Mumbai will be closed or diverted from early afternoon until the protesters disperse. Some roads, such as ⁠Fashion Street, roads around Azad Maidan, CST, Mahapalika Marg, D N Road, and surrounding arteries will face major traffic curbs.

Traffic diversions

South-bound vehicles on Mahapalika Marg, moving towards Metro Junction, shall move straight towards D N Road – J J School of Art – Commissioner Office, and then take a left turn via L T Marg, and proceed further for their journey. The north-bound vehicles moving on Mahapalika Marg towards CSMT Junction shall move straight towards L T Marg, then towards Crowford Market, before taking a right turn to D N Road and move straight towards CSMT Junction.

The traffic police have asked commuters to anticipate traffic congestion and possible extended travel times from areas around Churchgate, Bombay Hospital, JJ Bridge, and BMC headquarters. ⁠Vehicles traveling to South Mumbai from the eastern or western suburbs have been advised to seek alternative routes, as local roads leading to Azad Maidan and the BMC may be shut or heavily controlled.

As part of safety precautions, the Mumbai police will deploy significant personnel and barricades along the march route for crowd management. Except for emergency vehicles, all other vehicles may be rerouted away from key protest areas. The organisers have assured that the protest will conclude before major evening office dispersal hours to avoid traffic chaos, the traffic police said in a statement.

The people have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel in the CST, Azad Maidan, and BMC headquarters area between noon and 5 pm. The commuters travelling via Mumbai Central, Dadar, or Byculla have been urged to monitor traffic apps and police updates. They have been advised to use public transport wherever possible and keep an eye on live updates from the Mumbai traffic police.