Mumbai Ganesh Visarjan: BMC to remove Marine Drive divider again for Anant Chaturdashi crowd management

BMC workers break the divider on NA Purandare Road and Marine Drive in Girgaon on August 22, 2025. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE

To manage crowds of devotees better during Anant Chaturdashi celebrations at Chowpatty in Girgaon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to demolish the divider on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Road (Marine Drive) and NA Purandare Road ahead of Marine Drive yet again this year, facilitating seamless road access.

Anant Chaturdashi will be celebrated on September 25 this year, and Chowpatty is one of the most prominent natural immersion sites for Ganesh idols in South Mumbai. The divider was placed on Marine Drive after extensive negotiations with residents to prevent accidents in the area.

Razing rationale

The decision was taken in 2025 after consultations with the joint commissioner of police. It was pointed out to the BMC that participants at crowded immersion sites such as Girgaon Chowpatty are likely to jump over the divider. In large crowds, if anyone slips or loses balance, it could trigger a stampede.

Why median was installed

In July 2023, the BMC installed barricades on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Road, stretching from Marine Drive up to the Princess Street flyover, and further to Girgaon Chowpatty, to prevent people from crossing the road. The move followed a survey by the Marine Drive Traffic Division, which had suggested measures to prevent accidents along this stretch.

At the time, the Marine Drive Citizens' Association also wrote to BMC several times, highlighting the issue. Residents also pointed out that the barricade median wasn't strong enough to stop people from crossing, as many managed to squeeze through gaps.