South Mumbai choked as cops shut down roads

MUMBAI: There was chaos and confusion in south Mumbai as traffic police shut down roads leading to Mantralaya after fire blazed through the state secretariat on Thursday evening. Lakhs of commuters abandoned public transport and had to walk to their destinations.
Taffic police shut the south-bound lane of JJ flyover for nearly three hours to ensure faster movement of fire-fighters and ambulances.With the JJ flyover shut, there was traffic jam on Mohammad Ali Road, below the bridge. The impact of the road closure could be felt right up to Thane along the eastern express highway and to Chembur along the Sion-Panvel highway.
Around 1,500 to 2,000 policemen were pressed into action. “We checked with the BMC on the routes that fire engines and ambulances would be taking and diverted traffic for smoother passage. We even towed all vehicles which were parked around Mantralaya in order to ease movement of emergency vehicles. To update citizens about the situation, we provided information on diversions to FM radio stations,” said additional commissioner (traffic) Brijesh Singh.
“I caught a taxi from Nariman Point around 3.30pm to head home to Marine Drive, unaware that a major fire had broken out at Mantralaya. The taxi couldn't move much as entries and exits on all roads had been closed. I had to abandon my taxi and walk home,” said Chandresh Shah, former president of the Marine Drive residents' association.
“Traffic from the JJ flyover was diverted to P D’Mello Road via Carnac Bunder. Diversions were also given at Sunder Mahal on Marine Drive, Badhwar Park at Cuffe Parade and the stretch of Madam Cama Road where Mantralaya is situated,” an official said. “There were 15 to 20 fire brigades at work at Madam Cama Road and we wanted to ensure undisturbed rescue work. At least 50 traffic policemen were deputed on Madam Cama Road alone.”
South-bound traffic from Matunga to JJ Hospital on the BR Ambedkar Road was diverted towards Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Marg and P D’Mello Road. “When I started off for CST from Sion around 3.30pm, I expected to reach my destination in half-an-hour. I was surprised when I spotted cops suddenly placing barricades on the Lalbaug flyover. From then onwards it was a total nightmare. The roads were totally choked and I had to take several alternate routes to reach my destination. I made it to CST only by 5.30pm and regretted travelling by road,” a media person said.
Railway officials said very few commuters boarded the evening locals as most of them had left for home early, after they heard about the fire.