South Mumbai traffic restrictions will affect vehicle movement and parking around Ballard Pier, Hutatma Rajguru Chowk and the NCPA area from November 16 to 19, according to a notification issued by the Mumbai Traffic Police for a VVIP visit. The arrangements include temporary diversions, controlled access on selected routes and the suspension of pay-and-park facilities on two roads.
The notification has been signed by Hemrajsingh Rajput, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Traffic, Mumbai. It states that certain traffic movements will be regulated on November 16, while selected parking restrictions will remain in force for all four days. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, police vehicles and fire brigade vehicles, will be exempt from the restrictions. Vehicles carrying VVIPs and those belonging to other essential service providers will also be exempt.
At Hutatma Rajguru Chowk, the right turn from Madam Cama Road towards Free Press Road, which is normally closed to traffic, will remain open between noon and 3 pm on November 16. The U-turn from the northbound carriageway of Free Press Road towards its southbound carriageway will also be permitted during that period. The notification specifies that this arrangement will be exclusively for vehicles carrying VVIPs.
Access towards the Ballard Pier alighting point will also be restricted on November 16. From 7 am to 10 pm, the route from Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg to Avtarsingh Bedi Chowk and then right towards Walchand Hirachand Marg will remain open only to vehicles carrying VVIPs. During the same period, N Morarji Road will be completely closed to south-to-north traffic.
The restrictions will also affect parking. Pay-and-park facilities will be suspended around the clock from November 16 to 19 on Vinay K Shah Marg, between NCPA Chowk and Murli Deora Chowk, and on Dorabji Tata Road, between Genda Point and Murli Deora Chowk. Parking will additionally be prohibited on N Morarji Road, JN Herdia Marg and Walchand Hirachand Marg on November 16 between 7 am and 10 pm.
The traffic police issued the notification as a temporary measure to prevent congestion during the visit. The reported visit involves a VVIP presence in Mumbai between November 16 and 19, but the police notification does not explicitly identify the individual or link the traffic arrangements to a specific event. Mid-Day has reported that Britain’s Prince William is scheduled to be in Mumbai from November 16 to 18 for the sixth annual Earthshot Prize Summit and Awards Ceremony, with the ceremony planned for November 17.
Motorists travelling through the Ballard Pier and NCPA areas will need to account for the restrictions, particularly during the morning and evening control period on November 16. The notification remains the operative reference for the specified route and parking changes through November 19.
