PM Narendra Modi’s Mumbai visit delays Ganpati procession, traffic diversions hit city

Members of Shri Mahakali Mitra Mandal wait with their Ganesh idol Vakolacha Ladka under the flyover. Pics/Satej Shinde

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Mumbai around 5 pm on Tuesday to inaugurate the seventh edition of the Global Fintech Fest 2026 at Mumbai Jio World Drive, the city witnessed multiple diversions to clear traffic from roads which otherwise have heavy congestion.

Bappa delayed

Due to the traffic halt around the Mumbai airport, a Ganpati procession was stopped under the Vile Parle section of the Western Express Highway flyover and held up for over 45 minutes. The idol was on its way to the Shri Mahakali Mirta Mandal, opposite Aram Society in Vakola, Santacruz East.

"We were already running late after leaving from Chakala in Andheri East and were stopped. Traffic police officials told us that the prime minister's convoy was passing the area and that we had to stop for traffic management," Suman Kumar said.

‘Changed entire schedule'

Suman Kumar, president, Shri Mahakali Mirta Mandal
‘We were supposed to reach our pandal by 4.30, but won't get there before 7.05 pm'

BKC traffic

Leaving his office at 5.30 pm, Rohit Yadav, a Chembur resident, said, "Most of the offices have given a half-day to their employees, so there is less traffic, and the Mumbai Traffic Police were at every signal managing traffic. The morning traffic was usual, but in the evening it was a smooth flow till we crossed the BKC connector bridge."

Official Speak

Satyanarayan Choudhary, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic)
‘Proper deployment is done. All the officers and men are on the road to regulate it'