Under the Break the Chain campaign by the Maharashtra government to contain the coronavirus cases in the state and the city, no vehicles are allowed to go on the roads without proper validation from the authorities.
According to the COVID-related restrictions, only people engaged in essential services are exempted from this rule. In addition, vehicles used for a health emergency can drive. An exception is also given to people going for vaccination.
Moreover, the Mumbai Traffic Police has also warned of heft fines in case vehicles are found flouting the COVID-19 norms.
Despite ongoing restrictions, unusually high traffic jams were observed on the Western Express Highway (WEH) on Tuesday morning, June 1, especially during peak hours. It has come to light that this traffic could be due to the rigorous checking at various nakabandi points in the city.
A day earlier, on Monday, May 31, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who also inaugurated the trial run of the Metro line at Akurli station, expressed his concern over heavy vehicular traffic on the Western Express Highway (WEH). He also warned that vehicular restrictions may become even stricter if traffic jams continue during the lockdown period.
As a result, an extensive nakabandi drive was initiated on Tuesday, June 1. Besides, various checkpoints along the WEH, on both north and southbound, like Dahisar Toll Naka, Jogeshwari stretch near Ismail Yusuf College, checkpoint near Vakola and the northbound arm of the WEH near Vile Parle were some of the locations which saw heavy congestion due to the checking.
The official also mentioned that all motor vehicles were being checked to see if the motorist has a valid reason to step out.
Meanwhile, Tuesday witnessed unusual traffic, it was comparatively less than that recorded on Monday. This could be possibly due to the nakabandi drive, which either compelled the motorists to stay back home or take another route where nakabandi was not taking place, stated the officials.
The vehicular traffic movement on the WEH had risen by at least 25 per cent, said the official. However, a senior police official attributed yesterday's traffic to the VVIP movement due to the inauguration.
Also Read: Road March Group Seeks Shifting Of Dahisar Toll Plaza to Reduce Traffic Congestion
Many Twitter users, who were stuck in traffic for long hours, shared their solicitude. While many were unaware of the reason behind the traffic and slammed the Mumbai police for its mismanagement and Thackeray government for not giving a long term solution but just imposing curbs.
@mumbaitraffic... Kashimira to dahisar checknaka full traffic. Even towards thane. Takes min 2 hrs to reach thakur village kandivali east. 1st day lock down relax and crowd on weh. Crowding should be controlled in view of pandemic. pic.twitter.com/z0s3c2fRQq
— Krishna Kumar (@krishna_kum_ar) June 1, 2021
Yesterday, our best CM came out of his cosy home after 2 months to Kandivali east, Akurli Metro railway station to flag off Metro and found heavy traffic on highway. He warned lockdown will be stricter if such situation continues. Lockdown ki aisi taisi.Kaam karna hai ab to! pic.twitter.com/FGJUxmE3TG
— Vishal Upadhyay (@VishalU15) June 1, 2021
Worst traffic management by Mumbai Police! Entire Highway is jammed left for work at 8 am been stuck in traffic since 3 hrs now! Entire city is jammed. Aur kitna pareshan karoge sabko? @ShivSena @mumbaitraffic @MumbaiPolice pic.twitter.com/ZA80Nszd3e
— vatsal dedhia (@dedhia_vatsal) June 1, 2021
Heavy traffic congestion on the way to WEH from Mira Bhayandar. Stuck in the jam since last 1:15 hrs @mybmc @MiraroadNEWS @MiraBhyUpdates @DGPMaharashtra @CPMumbaiPolice @mumbaitraffic @RidlrMUM @TOIMumbai @MumbaiPolice pic.twitter.com/ZftAIGanQs
— Anand Dubey🇮🇳 (@AnandDubey07) June 1, 2021
Hahahaha....finally he seems to have gotten a dose of infamous WEH traffic :)))) https://t.co/iGDxBLUSLE
— Jayant UnKill (@jayantgajria) June 1, 2021
Too much of traffic on WEH #mumbai #mumbailockdown
— Me Mumbaikar 🚩 मी मुंबईकर 🚩 (@MeMumbaikar8) June 1, 2021
Traffic pile up on WEH from #Borivali to #MiraRoad
— Virat A Singh (@tweetsvirat) June 1, 2021
Traffic jam on internal roads of #dahisar
Any clue people what has happened???. @RoadsOfMumbai pic.twitter.com/6BhFwGxOXP
What’s the reason of such huge traffic on WEH? And I am hearing ambulance siren… how will it make a way through this ?? @MumbaiPolice #jogeshwari #goregaon
— Jyoti Pai Dhungat (@oliveeyess) June 1, 2021
A 15 minutes commute has taken me 1 hour 30 minutes. Do not step out today. Traffic is crazy. Avoid WE Highway. It's real bad out here.#MumbaiTraffic #Mumbai #WEH @mumbaitraffic
— vedanti (@theycallmeveed) June 1, 2021
What's happening between Dahisar and Mira Road on Western Express Highway?? @MumbaiPolice stucked in traffic since 45 mins! What if there are ambulance stucked in a traffic?
— Dipesh (@9967793457) June 1, 2021
Also Read: COVID-19 second wave: Over 15,000 offences of lockdown violations registered since April
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