World Cup: New traffic arrangements near Wankhede Stadium soon

The deputy commissioner of police (traffic) and police officers of zone I visited the area and made elaborate suggestions to the WR officials to ease congestion. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic) Nandkumar Chougule,the Veer Nariman Road and the Maharishi Karve (MK) Road junction might experience maximum traffic congestion.

“Apart from short term suggestions,we have also made long-term plans to ease traffic congestion in Churchgate. As part of short-term plan,we have told the railways to get rid of the debris and construction materials near subway at the Churchgate station. We plan to make the existing subways hawker-free,” said Chougule.

“There are more than 30-40 cars parked there. We have advised officials to park cars at the CR2 or the Jamnadas parking lot. The area near the parking lot will also be renovated to accommodate at least 200 people if the station needs to be evacuated during emergency.”

Chief Public Relations officer of WR Sharat Chandrayan,however,said he was not aware of the suggestions made by the traffic police and the BMC. Chougule further said despite acquiring more than 30 parking spaces in the area,the police have been able to make arrangements to park 2,500 cars which is half of what they expect. Asked if this would create chaos,Chougule said there would be parking restrictions on the roads—-C (road adjacent Law College),D (Wankhede stadium road) and E (West side of Churchgate station) on the three days. “Passes will be issued to the residents in the area for parking only one vehicle in the slot. If the residents have more than one vehicle,they will have to make parking arrangements for the extra cars elsewhere.” Residents,however,said they have not been contacted by the police in this regard.