Heavy vehicles barred on Madh-Marve Road, Juhu curbs for Chhath Puja on Nov 15-16

The Kandivali traffic police in Mumbai have imposed temporary traffic restrictions on Madh-Marve Road ahead of Chhath Puja. Celebrations at Marve and Aksa beaches are expected to draw 50,000 to 60,000 devotees.

According to a traffic notification issued on Wednesday, all heavy goods motor vehicles (HGMV) will be barred on the stretch between Baf Hira Junction and Aksa Beach from 4 pm on November 15 to 11 am on November 16. The restriction has been imposed in view of Chhath Puja at Marve Beach and Aksa Beach on November 15 and 16.

The traffic police said the large number of devotees and the narrow road could lead to crowding and pose a safety risk. The temporary restriction has therefore been imposed for public safety and to prevent accidents.

The restriction will not apply to police vehicles, fire engines, ambulances and vehicles on other essential services. Vehicles carrying milk, vegetables, fruit, bread, bakery items, petrol, diesel and LPG are also exempt. The notification says all other vehicles will ply on this stretch as usual.

The traffic police have appealed to motorists to follow the instructions of traffic personnel deployed in the area. Legal action will be taken against violators. The notification was issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic, Western Suburbs) Ajit Borhade.

In a separate advisory, Mumbai Traffic Police have announced temporary restrictions around Juhu Beach as well on November 15 and 16 for Chhath Puja. The arrangements will be in force from 2 pm on November 15 to 11 am on November 16, on roads under the Santacruz traffic division.

Parking will be prohibited on both sides of Juhu Tara Road, AB Nair Road, Birla Lane, VM Road and Juhu Church Road, except for police and essential service vehicles. Juhu Tara Road will be closed to vehicles from Santacruz Police Station Junction to Juhu Beach and from Tulip Star Hotel Junction to Juhu Beach. Vehicles linked to Chhath Puja are exempt from this closure.

The stretch of AB Nair Road between Church Road and Balraj Sahni Marg will be one-way as required. The U-turn in front of Hotel Maharaja Bhog on Juhu Tara Road will also be closed to vehicles going south from Tulip Star Hotel towards Juhu Koliwada. Such motorists will have to use the U-turn at Juhu Koliwada Junction.

Motorists heading from Link Road towards Juhu Tara Road have been advised to turn right at Santacruz Police Station Junction, then left at Standard Chartered Bank Junction and continue along SV Road. Vehicles coming from Tulip Star Hotel Junction towards Juhu Tara Road can take VM Road. Motorists can also reach their destination via Juhu Church Road or Alfredo Criado Road, and then NS Road No. 13.