Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - HT Navi Mumbai Live
Mumbai idols denied entry for immersions
Police say decision will help reduce traffic in the city and speed up immersion that goes on till the wee hours of the morning
With the police on high alert to ensure smooth immersions, it has decided that there will be no entry for mandals from Mumbai to immerse their idols within city limits.
Over the years, idols from Mankhurd and Chembur have been brought to Vashi creek for immersion. The decision has been taken in view of the condition of the old Vashi creek bridge which is used by mandals, and to prevent traffic snarls.
“With the old Vashi creek bridge being closed, the mandals from Mumbai would have used the new creek bridge to come over to Navi Mumbai. This could lead to major traffic snarls on the bridge and its surrounding areas,” said deputy commissioner of police (zone I) Prashant Khaire,
“We have ordered that the mandals from outside the city limits will not be allowed to immerse their idols here. This has been done to ensure there are no traffic logjams. We already have a large number of immersions in our city and do not want to add to it any further as it will then affect the mandals here and also the residents,” he added.
The decision has been conveyed to Chembur DCP Shahji Umap, who was previously DCP zone I in the city.
He has given a positive response to the decision. Interestingly, Umap had himself earlier wanted the implementation of the decision during his tenure in the city.
Since he was aware of the conditions in the city, he immediately accepted the decision and assured that the mandals will not be allowed to head towards Navi Mumbai.
Police say the decision will help reduce traffic in the city and speed up the immersion duration that often goes on till the wee hours. A shopkeeper sells Gauri idols at a shop in Vashi on Thursday. Devotees perform puja at a pandal at Kopar Khairane on Thursday.