Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Mumbai gave Ghatkopar a festive look, with huge cut-outs of the PM, posters bearing his pictures, flags of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP dotting Ghatkopar — the area where he held his roadshow. But amid the celebrations, a ‘near-stampede-like situation’ was reportedly also witnessed at Ghatkopar metro station.
Reports stated that metro services from Versova to Ghatkopar Line 1 were briefly suspended during peak office hours, affecting commuters travelling between Versova, Andheri, and Ghatkopar.
According to The Hindu, the metro service from Jagruti Nagar to Ghatkopar was suspended at 6 pm due to security concerns related to the roadshow.
Mumbai Metro One Pvt. Ltd. (MMOPL) announced this suspension an hour before implementing it, causing significant inconvenience to commuters, and leading to overcrowding at metro stations. The closure of Ghatkopar Metro Station left many commuters stranded without alternative transportation options, the report stated.
Several social media users, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, shared videos of the massive crowd at Ghatkopar metro station on X.
Chaotic situation at #Ghatkopar station. No one is able to find autorickshaw. Pregnant women was trying to ease her way out. Common ppl suffering as always. Could have been handled better #Loksabhaelections2024 #ECI #Modi @Dev_Fadnavis #Mumbai @mumbaimatterz pic.twitter.com/Idjtlja3xs— Akash Rohit Kothari (@awesome_ark) May 15, 2024
Priyanka Chaturvedi, Uddhav Thackeray’s Rajya Sabha MP, wrote: “PM Modi in Mumbai for campaigning, public services go for a toss for security reasons and has led to creating massive chaos.”
PM Modi in Mumbai for campaigning, public services go for a toss for security reasons and has led to creating massive chaos. pic.twitter.com/RRN4TkkGrf— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) May 15, 2024
Blockades were witnessed on streets too, which made it difficult for locals returning from work to access the roads.
A Times of India report stated that some elderly people had to walk over a km from the station area in the absence of autos.
Most shops and restaurants along the route were shut. “It is our PM visiting our area and we don’t mind these losses,” a shop owner, who also waited to see the colourful event, was quoted.
Mumbai Cheers for PM Modi
Besides the minor inconvenience, there was a section of residents that lined up in large numbers on the road waiting patiently for PM Modi’s cavalcade.
The security was tight and access to LBS Marg from Ghatkopar railway station was regulated with barricades, the TOI report stated.
According to the publication, songs in praise of Modi blared on the speakers while musicians played the dhol and tasha. Several senior citizens were seated on plastic chairs on the pavement.
The report mentioned the case of Manoj Vishwakarma, an officegoer, and stated that he ensured he reached LBS Marg in Ghatkopar by 2.30 pm.
“I am a big fan of Modiji and the great work he has done for our country. I don’t mind waiting for 5-6 hours just to catch a glimpse of him,” he was quoted.
A Muslim family comprising a couple and their school-going daughter also stood by to watch. “Forget political party, he is our PM. I want my young daughter to see him along with the fanfare surrounding this event,” the father was quoted.
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