Mumbai Traffic Update: BEST Bus Diversions Around Poll Centres Restored By Evening

The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) diverted buses on 36 routes across Mumbai on Saturday to ease traffic near ballot counting centres, according to Hindustan Times (HT). The diversions affected services near eight depots: Backbay, Dharavi, Marol, Poisar, Prateeksha Nagar, Mulund, Magathane, and Worli. They began early in the morning and were lifted by evening.

A BEST official explained in HT that around 100-125 buses were rerouted starting at 5:00 am, with normal operations resuming by 6:50 pm. The official added that passenger inconvenience was minimal since the disruptions occurred on a Saturday. The police had closed roads around counting centres to maintain smooth traffic flow, prompting the diversions and some service cancellations.

Photo Credit: PTI

In Dharavi, where a counting centre was set up on Sant Chanya Marg, the road between Dharavi Agar and Dharavi Koliwada Junction was closed. Consequently, buses on routes C72, 46, 52, 411, 25, and others were diverted through Sion. Similarly, roads near a counting centre at Bajaj Road and K. N. Road were shut from 5:45 pm, resulting in diversions of buses on routes 274, 280, 286, 281, 246, 244, 239, and 277 via SV Road.

At Sangam Nagar, buses on routes 14, 15, 88, and 172 were rerouted after Antop Hill bus stop, taking Valmiki Chowk, Sheikh Mistry Dargah Road, and Wadala Flyover. Additionally, routes 110 and 117 operated only from Ganesh Nagar instead of Sangam Nagar. These diversions were implemented from 5:00 pm and lifted by 6:30 pm.

Despite the temporary adjustments, the BEST successfully managed to restore normalcy by evening, ensuring minimal disruption for passengers while allowing authorities to maintain traffic control near the counting centres. The proactive approach helped prevent significant traffic delays in the affected areas.