Heavy vehicles can no longer ply on Mumbai roads during morning, evening peak hours

In a bid to ease congestion within the city, the Mumbai Traffic Police (MTP) on Monday issued an order restricting the movement of heavy vehicles in city limits during peak hours. The restrictions will apply from 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 9 pm.

The restriction will apply to all heavy vehicles, except the ones that provide essential services. For example, ambulances, fire engines, water tankers, police vehicles and vehicles transporting vegetables, milk etc will be allowed to run.

In addition, government vehicles along with buses transporting passengers will also be exempted.

The order, issued by Additional Commissioner of Police Sanjay Mohite, states that the increase in the number of vehicles on the road, coupled with the ongoing metro or monorail construction work, laying of electricity or telephone lines and plying of heavy vehicles has led to severe congestion, which in turn has inconvenienced the general public.

“For the purpose of smooth movement of traffic and better traffic management in Mumbai, from 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 9 pm, all heavy vehicles except heavy vehicles providing essential service like vegetables, milk, ambulance, police department, fire department, government semi-government vehicles and all buses transporting passengers, will have restrictions for running on the roads,” the order reads.

One of the most congested highways in the city, the Western Express Highway, for example has become a pain point for thousands of motorists who take the road to travel to and from work everyday due to the ongoing Metro construction work.

All heavy vehicles will be allowed to ply during the remaining 16 hours of the day.