FIFA U-17 World Cup: Cops ensure traffic-free roads in Navi Mumbai

As the city traffic department has declared many roads as no-entry zones for the FIFA tournament, only the interior areas of Nerul experienced traffic jams

As traffic restrictions and diversions were in place for FIFA U-17 World Cup which started on Friday, only the interior areas of Navi Mumbai saw road congestion.

Heavy police presence outside at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Friday. (Bachchan Kumar)

Two matches were played at Nerul’s DY Patil Stadium. While the first match finished before 7pm, the second started around 8pm.

The Sion-Panvel highway saw the usual peak-hour traffic.

“There was congestion at Uran phata bridge at Belapur on Sion-Panvel highway for some time. As the adjacent roads were no-entry zones, vehicles had to reach that point to take a U-turn. But, our personnel tackled the situation and motorists were not inconvenienced,” said a traffic officer from Belapur.

As the city traffic department has declared many roads as no-entry zones for the FIFA tournament, only the interior areas of Nerul experienced traffic jams.

“Around 40 traffic personnel were deployed on Sion-Panvel highway alone,” said a senior officer.

Although the traffic police promptly acted against illegally parked vehicles, which often cause traffic jams, cars were illegally parked on the western side of the stadium and near LP junction of Sion-Panvel highway.

Just a few days before the tournament, the PWD repaired the Sion-Panvel highway and filled up most potholes.

“On Friday, vehicles were coming in and going out smoothly. The area saw smooth traffic flow despite a huge number of people coming to the city to watch the football matches,” said Satish Gaikward, senior police inspector of Vashi traffic unit.