Traffic cops gear up for Ambedkar anniversary

MUMBAI: The city administration is all geared up to manage the influx of lakhs of followers of Dr BR Ambedkar who will start arriving in the metropolis from Sunday to mark Babasaheb's 54th death anniversary on December 6. A slew of traffic restrictions have been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the event. Every year, lakhs of Ambedkar followers converge on Chaitya Bhoomi in Dadar to pay tribute to the architect of India's Constitution.
With December 6 being a Monday, the Mumbai traffic police have put out an advisory for motorists on which roads to use and which ones to avoid. In view of the large-scale congregation in and around Shivaji Park in Dadar, vehicular traffic is likely to be be affected on the following: SVS Road, Ranade Road, N C Kelkar Road, Keluskar Road (south and north), L J Road, Gokhale Road (South), Gokhale Road (North), Kataria Road, Tilak Bridge, S K Bole Road and Bhavani Shankar Road. According to the traffic cops, mototrists would be well-advised to use Senapati Bapat Marg, NM Joshi Marg and Dr BA Road.
Traffic cops have been deployed around Shivaji Park to manage the crowd. "Nearly 125 traffic cops will man the streets round the clock in Dadar to manage vehicular movement," joint commissioner of police (traffic) Vivek Phansalkar said.
Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will land in Mumbai on December 7 around 11.05 am and leave by 4 pm. "Traffic movement will be normal. Motorists may be stopped for around 10 minutes when the French President arrives at the Police Memorial to pay homage to 26/11 martyrs. Those using the Western and Eastern Express highways should follow the instructions of traffic cops. The road near the Taj, where the first couple will stay, will be blocked till they leave the hotel," he saidTraffic restrictions
In order to ensure smooth flow of traffic, cops have imposed following restrictions which will be in effect from 8pm on December 5 till 9 pm on December 7.
One way/ closer of roads
S K Bole road will be one way from Siddhivinayak junction up to Hanuman Temple
Bhavani Shankar Road will be one way from Hanuman Temple/ Kabutar Khana up to its junction with Gokhale Road South
SVS Marg from Siddhivinayak junction up to Hinduja Hospital will be closed for vehicular traffic. Locals can go up to Road No 5- Pandurang Naik Marg junction from the hospital
Ranade Road will be closed for all types of vehicles
Dnyaneshwar Mandir Road will be closed for all types of vehicles from its junction with SVS Road up to Dadar chowpatty
Kataria Road will be closed for vehicular traffic from LJ Road up to Hinduja Hospital
SVS Marg from Mahim junction up to Kapad Bazar (Shitaladevi Road) junction will be closed
Heavy and goods vehicles (including tempos), except for BEST buses will be diverted from Mahim junction via Mori Road towards Senapati Bapat Road.
In case of heavy traffic congestion around Shivaji Park:
* South-bound traffic: Those coming from the Western Express Highway and proceeding towards south Mumbai via PT flyover should go up to Kalanagar junction, take a left turn to proceed to Dharavi T junction and further on via Sion station or 60 Feet Road in Dharavi via Kumbharwada Sion Hospital. Turn right to BA Road or use Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link via Bandra to Worli to proceed further
* North-bound Traffic: Vehicles coming from Colaba and CST may use P D'Mello Road, Barister Nath Pai Marg, Zakeria Bunder Road, RAK Marg up to Matunga Arora bridge. Take a right turn along Dr BA Road, and further on via Sion Hospital junction, or take left turn at Gafarkhan junction on Dr Annie Besant Road for Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link. North-bound motorists coming from Mahalaxmi station via Dr E Moses Road may use Senapati Bapat Marg
Parking Restrictions: Parking restrictions will be imposed from 8pm on December 5 till 9 pm on December 7 on either sides of the following: SVS Road, Ranade Road, NC Kelkar Road, Keluskar Road (South), Keluskar Road (North), LJ Road, Gokhale Road (South), Gokhale Road (North), Kataria Road, Tilak Bridge, SK Bole Road and Bhavani Shankar Road