Police use Google Maps, CCTV, live field updates to clear jams, rescue schoolchildren, and clear stalled vehicles; Joint CP (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare, along with four DCPs, 20 ACPs, 45 inspectors, 150 officers, and about 2250 constables, was on the ground to keep vehicles moving
Police push a car in a waterlogged area. PIC/BY SPECIAL Arrangement
As heavy rain lashed Mumbai on Monday, traffic came to a standstill in several areas. Nearly 2200 traffic police personnel were deployed to regulate movement, rescue stranded schoolchildren, clear stalled vehicles from flooded stretches, and assist citizens. The city’s traffic was monitored from the Worli Traffic Headquarters control room using Google Maps, more than 8000 CCTV cameras, wireless communication, and distress calls.
Traffic police reported severe congestion at 28 spots due to waterlogging and pothole-ridden stretches, including Vakola Bridge on the Western Express Highway and King Circle at Matunga. Joint CP (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare, along with four DCPs, 20 ACPs, 45 inspectors, 150 officers, and about 2250 constables, was on the ground to keep vehicles moving.
A traffic jam between Khar and Santacruz on the Western Express Highway. Pic/Shadab Khan
Speaking to mid-day, DCP (HQ) Dipali Rajendra Dhate said, “The rain was extremely heavy, and our teams worked round the clock to ease traffic. We identified 28 waterlogged locations where jams occurred. Our staff rescued schoolchildren and helped citizens push vehicles out of flooded areas.” “From the control room, we monitored traffic through Google Maps, WhatsApp updates, and CCTV. We also coordinated with the BMC and Mumbai Police,” she added.
Major waterlogging spots:
Andheri subway, Vakola bridge (Hyatt junction), Juhu gully (Barfiwala DN Nagar), Hindmata (Bhoiwada), Dadar TT, Wadala freeway, Gandhi Market (Matunga), Mahalaxmi Mandir Junction, JJ Junction (Pydhonie), Bawla Compound–Albert Junction (Byculla), RTO Junction (Antop Hill), Elphinstone Road (Bhoiwada), Amar Mahal (Chembur), SVP Road (Kalbadevi), Wadala Depot, Bandstand (DB Marg), Everite Nagar (Chunabhatti), SV Road (Santacruz), Bhoiwada Bridge, Eastern Freeway Tunnel (Trombay), Veera Desai Road (Oshiwara), Urumashi Bappa (Chembur), Somaiya College (Wadala), Tilak Nagar Terminus Road, MG Road to Kane Nagar (Antop Hill), Maharashtra Nagar (Mankhurd tunnel), and Poisar Subway (Kandivli).
City’s traffic being monitored from Worli Traffic Headquarters control room. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Technology in action
Google Maps
A traffic officer said, “Google Maps helped us track unusual congestion. Our teams monitored red zones and shared live updates, after which we deployed additional personnel at those junctions.”
CCTV cameras
Another officer explained, “More than 8000 CCTV cameras across Mumbai helped us monitor the situation from the control room and guide officers on the ground.”
Wireless communication
“Walkie-talkies provided continuous updates about waterlogging and congestion, which allowed us to divert teams quickly,” said an officer.
Whatsapp Groups
Police also used a WhatsApp groups where field officers shared live photos and videos from affected areas. “We tracked these updates in real time from the control room and deployed extra staff wherever needed,” an officer said.
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