Navi Mumbai: On the eve of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Navi Mumbai traffic department is implementing temporary traffic rules at four key locations in the city. These changes are expected to take effect on November 18 and will continue until the vote counting process ends on November 23.

The regulations are being enforced in Seawoods, Uran, Airoli and Rabale, particularly around areas leading to election strong rooms where sensitive election materials and officials will be stationed. The Traffic Department said these measures are aimed at ensuring smooth conduct of election procedures and maintaining security, given the high volume of vehicles related to election functions.

Under the direction of the Seawoods Traffic Division, access to certain roads near election coffers will be restricted from November 19-23. The dual carriageway leading to Agri Koli Bhavan at Nerul Sector 24, as well as the service road parallel to Palm Beach Road from Vazirani Sports Club to Health Juice Centre, will be closed to all private vehicles.

“Only vehicles assigned for election-related duties will be allowed,” said deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Tirupati Kakade. Residents are advised to use the Sector 18 internal road to travel to and from Palm Beach Road.

Under the Uran Traffic Division, during the said period, a complete ban on heavy vehicles will be enforced on the Dighode-Dastan Phata road due to movement of buses and other vehicles carrying election officials and materials.

On November 19, the ban would be from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, on November 20, the ban would be from 3:00 a.m. to midnight, and on November 23, it would be from 6:00 p.m. at 10:00 p.m.

Vehicles traveling from Dastan Phata to Dighode must use this route; Dastan Phata to Jasai to Ghavanphata to Jungle Cut. Meanwhile, vehicles traveling from Dighode to Dastan Phata should take: Dighode to Jhambulpada to Jungle Cut.

The Kalamboli Traffic Division has notified that from 10:00 p.m. on November 18 to midnight on November 23, access to certain roads will be restricted. Panvel Kalsekar College Road leading to JNPT Road as well as Kalamboli Circle Road leading to D Point and JNPT Karnala Cut Road to Kalsekar College Road will have a complete ban on entry of any vehicle. Vehicles traveling from Panvel to JNPT have to use the Khanda Colony flyover to reach Kalamboli Circle and head towards their destination.

“These temporary traffic measures are being implemented to ensure the safe and efficient conduct of the elections, minimize disruptions and prevent any untoward incidents during the electoral process,” Kakade added.