Thousands of commuters heading to South Mumbai are expected to face delays and longer walks due to traffic restrictions around Gateway of India on February 17 for the India–France Year of Innovation programme. Several key roads will remain closed, taxi stands and bus stops shut, and parking banned, while diversions are likely to cause heavy congestion during peak hours.
Thousands of office-goers and daily commuters heading to South Mumbai on Tuesday, February 17, are likely to endure long delays and last-mile hardship as extensive security restrictions around the Gateway of India for the “India–France Year of Innovation” programme disrupt normal movement across Colaba and Fort.
With the Prime Minister of India and the President of France visiting the city, police will enforce strict security arrangements. From 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm, regular vehicles will not be allowed in the Gateway precinct — only emergency, essential service and VVIP vehicles will be permitted.
Key roads leading to offices and ferry points — including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road, P. Ramchandani Road, B. K. Boman Behram Road, Adam Street and Mahakavi Bhushan Road — will be closed.Traffic diversions via Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Electric House Junction and BEST Marg are expected to create bottlenecks at Regal Junction, Radio Club and surrounding intersections, especially during evening peak hours.
Parking will be prohibited on Nathalal Parekh Mar
g, Jagannath Bhosale Marg, Captain Prakash Pethe Marg, Rambhau Salgaonkar Marg and roads behind the Taj Hotel.In addition, Rambhau Salgaonkar Marg will temporarily operate as a two-way road between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, likely choking already narrow internal lanes and delaying residents trying to reach homes.
Evening commuters are expected to face the maximum disruption, with travel time across South Mumbai projected to rise sharply due to road closures, diversions and pedestrian congestionThe impact will extend beyond South Mumbai as well — heavy motor vehicles will be banned from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm on the Western Express Highway between Vakola Flyover and Dahisar Toll Naka, potentially affecting city-wide traffic flow.
Traffic police have urged citizens to avoid the Gateway of India area and plan journeys in advance, but for many office-goers, Tuesday may still mean crowded roads, longer walks and significantly delayed commutes.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/south-mumbai-traffic-nightmare-today-road-closures-parking-bans-for-indo-french-summit