Mumbai: After two days of impounding 23,000 vehicles, cops ease checks, citizens more cautious

MUMBAI: After two days of heavy police presence and impounding of 23,000 vehicles, the streets were not as congested on Tuesday. There was also a let-up in checks and, every few hours, nakabandi locations were changed.
Citizens turned extra-cautious and sought clarification from the police on their Twitter handle before making plans to head out.

Most stretches such as Mulund check naka and Eastern Express Highway, which were chock-a-block on Monday, witnessed smoother vehicular movement on Tuesday. “Just a day earlier, there were massive snarls from Thane to the Modella check naka and then Mulund onward to Ghatkopar. But, on Tuesday, the drive was smoother,” said Vaibhav Kamath, who drives to work from Thane to Sion. Western Express Highway, though, was congested during peak hours between Dahisar and Kandivli. Around 1,900 vehicles were impounded by the traffic police alone—70% two-wheekers—besides several more by local police stations.
A police directive issued on Sunday does not permit travelling more than 2 km from home, except for office or essentials. Many tweeted to the police with queries. “I’m an independent advisor from Colaba and working from home. The related offices have now opened and I need to go there sometimes... but have no ID card and the journey maybe more than 2 km. How can I travel?” tweeted Ardeshir Modi. People also wanted to know if medical emergencies were included under essential services.
“I have to take my mother to the dentist and pick her up as well as drop her from her residence which is more than 2 kms away. Please guide how to do this?” tweeted Abhina Mudgal. The police responded that she would have to carry medical documents. People wanting to board flights and trains also tweeted to the police asking if they required a special pass for the purpose and were told that travel documents were enough. A citizen asked if his spouse could travel from Ghatkopar to the US Consulate at BKC where she had a visa appointment.
Meanwhile, impounded vehicles have started clogging some stretches. “Dozens of two-wheelers and four-wheelers have appeared out of nowhere and are fast filling up the last lane of the Western Express Highway at Jogeshwari East. I have been spotting these vehicles since Monday,” said Rajesh Ashar, who works with a stockbroking firm.
Traffic police put up 32 check points on Tuesday, besides those by local police. Some of these were at Borivli, Malad, Goregaon, Chembur, Sewri, Sion, P D’Mello Road, Bandra and a few locations along L B S Marg. Two-wheelers were among a majority of vehicles impounded. A single rider is allowed on a two-wheeler and only for essential purposes.