Mumbai witnesses hours-long gridlock as unannounced rally by BJP leader’s supporters clogs key highway.
Mumbai commuters faced severe disruptions on Saturday evening as a spontaneous show of support for a newly inducted BJP minister led to a four-hour traffic jam on the Western Express Highway (WEH). The congestion left motorists, including airport-bound passengers, stranded and fuming.
Traffic jam stop vehicles Mumbai- Pune Express way 21 December 2024 09:35 pmmu pic.twitter.com/KbSlLulQnH
— Akshay Deshmukh (@Akid0279) December 21, 2024
Unexpected Rally Brings City to a Halt
According to police sources, nearly 500 vehicles carrying supporters of the BJP leader arrived unannounced at the city airport to welcome him. This unexpected surge overwhelmed traffic flow near Andheri, leading to extensive jams stretching from Bandra to Goregaon on the northbound lane of the WEH. Southbound lanes also experienced slow movement, compounding the frustration of weekend travelers.
Police Caught Off Guard
“We were not informed about the gathering in advance. The sudden influx of vehicles near the airport disrupted traffic, causing gridlocks on the highway,” a senior Mumbai police official said. Supporters began arriving around 7 PM, but the leader only exited the airport at 9:30 PM. This prolonged wait meant hundreds of cars remained stationary, exacerbating congestion under Andheri Bridge and beyond.
Ripple Effect on Key Junctions
The standstill at Andheri resulted in bottlenecks near the Centaur Bridge and Bahar Junction, key links in Mumbai’s road network. Many commuters attempting to reach the airport reported delays of over two hours for a journey that typically takes 15-30 minutes from Bandra.
Social Media Uproar
Frustrated commuters took to social media to express their outrage over the traffic mismanagement. Columnist Nisha Jamvwal tweeted, “@Mumbaitraffic #Magdeburg SOS. My friends have been stuck for two hours at the same spot. Why must we endure this on a #SaturdayNight?”
Similarly, user Durwas Rane posted, “Horrible traffic near Mumbai airport – Western Express Highway (standstill traffic southbound, very slow-moving traffic on the north side). #MumbaiTraffic #WEH.”
Passengers Miss Flights, Commuters Step In
Many travelers missed flights as they struggled to reach the airport on time. Some frustrated motorists left their vehicles to direct traffic themselves in a bid to alleviate the jam. Videos circulated online showed individuals walking along the highway, trying to reach their destinations on foot.
Political Fallout and Accountability
Political activist Brian D’Souza tagged the Chief Minister’s Office, Mumbai Traffic Police, and the Police Commissioner, sharing videos of the situation with the caption, “Condition of Western Express Highway. Cars not moving near the airport. People walking to get home.”
The traffic chaos has sparked questions regarding coordination between political parties and local authorities. Critics argue that better communication and planning could have prevented such an incident, especially in a city already known for its traffic congestion.
Police Response
Mumbai Traffic Police has since assured citizens of measures to prevent future occurrences. “We are investigating the incident and will put protocols in place to ensure large gatherings do not disrupt public movement,” an official stated.
Commuter Woes Highlight Systemic Issues
The Saturday jam underscores the vulnerability of Mumbai’s arterial roads to unexpected events. For regular commuters, it was a reminder of how fragile the city’s traffic system can be when faced with sudden, large-scale disruptions.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
