In preparation for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which will take place from September 7 to 17, the Mumbai Traffic Police and civic authorities have announced that the city’s Coastal Road will remain open 24 hours a day. This decision is aimed at managing the anticipated surge in traffic, particularly during the immersion processions when road congestion is at its peak.

Traffic Relief Measures During Festival Rush

Mumbai’s Coastal Road, a critical north-south corridor, is currently operational during limited hours — from 7 AM to 11 PM — with the northbound stretch closed on weekends for ongoing construction. However, in light of the heavy traffic expected during Ganeshotsav, the authorities have decided to keep the road open round the clock. This will offer commuters a much-needed alternative to the internal roads that often experience severe traffic jams, especially on immersion days.

According to civic officials, approximately 95% of the Coastal Road work has been completed, and no significant hurdles are anticipated in maintaining 24-hour accessibility throughout the festival. "We expect this measure to significantly reduce the pressure on other roads in the city, ensuring smoother travel for devotees and general commuters," said a civic official.

Traffic Diversions and Safety Protocols

The Mumbai Traffic Police have also introduced various traffic diversions across the city, based on historical data of crowd patterns during the festival. These changes are expected to enhance traffic flow and minimize congestion in key areas where idol immersions take place.

Special guidelines have been issued for the movement of processions over Road Over Bridges (ROBs). To ensure safety, no more than 100 people will be allowed on any ROB at one time, and activities such as dancing and playing loud music on the bridges have been strictly prohibited. This advisory comes as part of the city’s efforts to maintain the structural integrity of old and potentially dangerous ROBs during the heavy footfall of festival-goers.

Restrictions on Heavy Vehicles

To further ease congestion, the movement of heavy vehicles and private buses has been restricted during the festival. Heavy vehicles will be prohibited from entering or moving on roads in south Mumbai, and similar restrictions will apply across Greater Mumbai between 11 AM and 8 AM on select dates, including September 9, 12, 13, 14, and 18. Only emergency vehicles will be exempt from these restrictions. Additionally, private buses and heavy vehicles must be parked in designated spaces to prevent on-street parking, which could exacerbate traffic issues.

Coastal Road: A Key Player in Mumbai’s Festival Traffic Management

The Coastal Road, stretching 10.58 kilometers from Marine Drive’s Princess Street Flyover to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL), is an essential component of Mumbai’s traffic management strategy during Ganeshotsav. Various sections of the road have been opened progressively this year, with the most recent stretch, from Haji Ali to Abdul Gaffer Khan, becoming operational in July. Civic officials also aim to open the southbound carriageway of the Coastal Road and the BWSL connector by next week, further boosting the city’s infrastructure for managing festival crowds.

As Mumbai gears up for one of its most significant cultural events, the decision to keep the Coastal Road open 24x7 reflects the city’s proactive approach to traffic management, ensuring smoother travel for both devotees and daily commuters.