To mitigate the risk of a stampede at Chowpatty, one of the most prominent natural immersion sites for Ganesh idols in South Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has demolished the traffic divider (median) on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road (Chowpatty Road).

The decision was taken after consultations with the Joint Commissioner of Police. It was pointed out to the BMC that participants at crowded immersion sites such as Chowpatty, are likely to jump over the divider. In large crowds, if anyone slips or loses balance, it could trigger a stampede. Meanwhile, to prevent rash pedestrian crossings, the BMC has temporarily placed jute bags as a makeshift divider.

What was the project?