Mumbai authorities have announced significant traffic rerouting measures across the city ahead of a high-profile visit by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on February 17. The diversion aims to ensure smooth movement of official convoys and security personnel during the bilateral engagement.
Key arterial roads, including but not limited to Andheri-Goregaon Road, Jogeshwari-Vidyavihar Road, and LBS Marg, will undergo partial or full closures. Commuters are advised to avoid these routes and use alternate pathways such as the Western Express Highway or the Sewri-Nhava Sheva Link. Temporary checkpoints and enhanced security patrols will be deployed along the designated routes.
“This is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and seamless progress of the PM and visiting dignitaries,” stated a senior Mumbai Police official. The collaboration between Indian and French leadership is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Indo-French strategic ties, with discussions expected to focus on defense cooperation and climate initiatives.
Local transport services, including local trains and buses, have been instructed to adjust schedules and reroute services to minimize disruptions. Metro lines and suburban trains are expected to operate with minimal delays, though detours may be implemented in specific zones like Andheri and BKC.
Residents and businesses in affected areas are urged to plan ahead, as delays of up to two hours are anticipated. Authorities have extended grievance redressal hotlines to address last-minute travel concerns. Similar measures were implemented during the 2022 G20 summit, which saw widespread rerouting across Mumbai and Delhi.
Environmentalists have raised concerns about increased congestion due to rerouted traffic, urging authorities to deploy real-time traffic monitoring systems. Experts suggest adopting AI-based traffic management tools to preempt bottlenecks, a strategy already tested in cities like Singapore and Tokyo.
This event underscores India’s growing role in global diplomacy, with Prime Minister Modi and President Macron set to review joint projects in renewable energy and space technology. The visit aligns with India’s broader outreach to European partners amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
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