Coldplay Concert at DY Patil Stadium Sparks Massive Traffic Jam on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

A massive traffic jam occurred on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, which was caused by the popular British band Coldplay’s performance at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, as reported by the local newspaper Pune Pulse.

According to the source, “Almost up to thousands of vehicles were trapped in the traffic jam for about eight to ten kilometers on the highway between Turbhe and Kharghar because the situation was so far out of control.

According to the news report, ministers from the Maharashtra state government who had been heading to Pune were also among the people who got stuck in the traffic delays, but no names were provided.”

Ambulances were also caught up in this chaos, which raised worries and concerns about a possible delay in the emergency services. 

A performance by well-known Bollywood musician Sonu Nigam was also taking place close by at the same time, which even added to the chaos, according to the report. 

Plan routes and check the timings of suburban locals

“The suburban locals booked as FTR will be operated between Goregaon and Nerul station in Navi Mumbai on all three days of Coldplay concert. The suburban trains will depart from Goregaon at 2 pm on January 18 and 19, and reach Nerul at 3.23 pm via Wadala road station. They will depart from Nerul at 11.04 pm and reach Goregaon little after midnight at 12.30 am,” a report quoted an official.

• A suburban local train is expected to leave at 2:50 PM on January 21 and reach Nerul at 6:18 PM. On the way back, it will depart Nerul at 10:50 PM and arrive in Goregaon at 12:15 AM, just after midnight. 
• According to officials, “the scheduled suburban locals will stop only at Bandra, Andheri, Wadala Road, Chembur, and Jainagar stations in both directions.” 

A Western Railway official stated that “tickets for the special train are being booked through Book My Show”.

Police impose restrictions on a three-day concert in Mumbai:

During the three-day event, those who will be travelling as well as those who will go to attend the concert are suggested to carefully plan their routes and prepare for considerable delays that can most likely happen while officials try to sort out the issue at hand.

Navi Mumbai police have deployed nearly 1,000 police officers to ensure law and order during the event, authorities said on Friday. According to DCP Dahane, 450 police personnel, including 70 officers, have been deployed in and around the concert venue. Additionally, to ensure smooth traffic management, another 450 police personnel, along with 25 officers, have been stationed at key locations in the vicinity.

Restriction for heavy goods vehicle

Tirupati Kakade, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), has also issued an order. So, heavy trucks are prohibited from entering the city on these specific days during the concert. Heavy or goods-carrying vehicles are also prohibited from entering, traveling, or even parking on any route under the authority of the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate. 

According to a report, these are specific routes where heavy goods vehicles are banned from entering:

• Restricted near Fountain Hotel from Mumbai, Vasai, and Virar at Ghodbunder Road.
• Restricted at Ranjnoli Naka on Bhiwandi-Kalyan Road.
• Restriction near the Basuri Hotel on Nashik Road.
• Restrictions at Kalwa Naka for vehicles on Balkum, Saket, and the new Kalwa Bridge.
• Heavy vehicles are restricted at Parsik Circle.

These restrictions are not for government cars, fire departments, ambulances, or vehicles carrying supplies.

Parking arrangements

“Parking arrangements have been made at multiple locations, including Terna Ground in Nerul, Sector 15 in CBD Belapur and Raheja Universal in Turbhe. Additional parking areas include Tulsi Maidan in Nerul, Mindspace in Turbhe, BD Somani School in Kharghar and the Football Ground in Sector 32, Kharghar”, a report mentioned.

It further said, “To ease access, free shuttle buses by CityFlo will transport attendees from parking areas in Kharghar to the venue. For those using Ola, Uber, or private taxis, designated pick-up and drop-off points have been set up at Mindspace and Raheja.”