Anant Ambani wedding: Traffic curbs in Mumbai today; check out the roads to avoid

Traffic restrictions have been implemented, allowing only 'event vehicles' near the Jio World Convention Centre between 1 pm and midnight from July 12-15

The upcoming wedding of Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani, with his fiancée Radhika Merchant has kept Mumbai abuzz, though it is scheduled to create significant traffic disruptions for many residents.

From July 12 to 15, all roads near the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) will be restricted to event vehicles only between 1pm and midnight. The Mumbai Traffic Police announced these restrictions on social media on July 5, sharing alternative routes to ease the traffic flow.

There is traffic slowdowns around the venue and the surrounding areas because of the decorations being put up for the event. Trees around the venue and Ambani’s mansion, Antilia, are adorned with marigolds, bright yellow lights, and red flowers.

Several companies in BKC have asked their employees to work from home during these dates to avoid the traffic chaos. The announcement by the Mumbai Traffic Police has gone viral, receiving over 1.8 million views and numerous critical comments. Many citizens are frustrated, questioning why a private wedding is causing such public inconvenience. Comedian Varun Grover and other netizens have expressed their displeasure, calling the situation “nonsense” and criticising the traffic department's handling of the event.

Anant and Radhika’s wedding will take place on July 12, followed by a grand three-day celebration conducted according to traditional Hindu customs. The guest list includes Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt, as well as international celebrities like Mike Tyson and John Cena. Political and business figures, including former British prime ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, CEO of Saudi Aramco Amin H Nasser, and Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y Lee, are also expected to attend.

During the event, several roads will have restricted access. For instance, there will be no entry for vehicles on Kurla MTNL Road from Laxmi Tower Junction through Dhirubai Ambani Square Avenue Lane-3, Indian Oil Petrol Pump, and Diamond Junction to Hotel Trident. Alternative routes have been provided for vehicles to navigate around these restrictions.

While the wedding is set to be a spectacular affair, the resulting traffic issues have left many Mumbaikars frustrated and disgruntled.