Mumbai at standstill as Balasaheb begins his final journey

Moneycontrol Bureau

As lakhs of supporters began following  the hearse of Shiv Sena Supremo Balashaheb Thackeray’s hearse, Mumbai came to a virtual halt. The 86-year-old who was battling for life for nearly a week, passed away on Saturday at 3:33 pm. The bereaved Thackeray family is reportedly being accompanied by several Sena leaders including Manohar Joshi, Diwakar Raote, party spokesperson Sanjay Raut, Neelam Gorhe, Vinayak Raut, Anil Desai, Subhash Desai, senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde, among others.

Around 20,000 policemen stood guard along the funeral procession route from Matoshree to Shivaji Park, where Bal Thackeray's body would be cremated. His body will be kept for darshan at Shivaji Park from 9 am to 5 pm. The funeral rites will be held there at 6 pm. Security arrangements  at Matoshree include 3 SRPF Companies and one Rapid Action Force Company; Across Mumbai close to 15 companies of SRPF, 3 RAF companies have been deployed to keep a close tab on law and security. Quick Response Teams (armed units) are also on standby.

Not only cinema halls across Mumbai remained shut, but taxis and autos also are expected to stay off roads: Mumbai Live 

Routes to avoid: Mumbai Police traffic advisory

Veer Savakar Road, Annie Besant Road and Mori Road, among others, are off bounds between 6 am and 10 pm tonight. No traffic will be allowed on these roads.

Meanwhile, no parking will be allowed on Ranade Road and NC Kelkar Road among others.

(With inputs from ibnlive)