Marriages might be made in heaven but the traffic congestion this particular wedding is set to cause could be straight from hell, Mumbaikars. The Radhika Merchant – Anant Ambani wedding has reached its last stretch (finally), with the main nuptial ceremony set to take place in Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre on July 12.
Due to the scale of the wedding and the influx of VIP guests trailing into the city, Mumbai Traffic Police have now declared the wedding a “social program” and announced roadblocks. Specific roads and areas around the Bandra-Kural Complex (BKC) – an important commercial and corporate district – will be closed off to traffic.
Traffic restrictions for Anant Ambani wedding
These traffic restrictions will be in place from 1pm to 12 am on July 12, 13, 14 and 15. These temporary prohibitions apply to private cars, autorickshaws, two-wheelers, buses, and taxis. So if you’ve got plans in and around BKC, Bandra on these dates, here’s what you need to know.
No entry zones
- Vehicles will be barred from entering roads that lead to Kurla MNTL from Laxmi Tower Junction, Dhirubai Ambani Square Avenue Lane 3, Indian Oil Petrol Pump, Diamon Juncion and Hotel Trident.
- Incoming traffic towards the BKC connector bridge will also be restricted. This includes no entry at Dhirubhai Ambani Square/ Indian Oil Road Petrol Pump for motor traffic from Kurla, MTNL Junction, Platina Junction and Diamond Junction.
- Vehicles coming from Bharat Nagar, One BKC, We Work, Godrej, and BKC heading towards the American Consulate and MNTL Junction will be restricted at Jio Convention Centre Gate No. 23.
- Similarly, oncoming from MTNL Junction towards the American Consulate, Jio World Convention Centrc and BKC Connector will be stopped at Signature/ Sun Tech Building
One way routes
- Latika Road will be converted into a one-way route for traffic from Ambani Square to Laxmi Tower Junction.
- Avenue 3 Road will only allow one way for traffic from Kautilya Bhavan to the American Consulate.
Alternative routes for motorists and commuters recommended by Mumbai Traffic Police can be found here.
However, VIP guests’s vehicles heading to the high-profile wedding will be permitted on these routes.
Who are the VIP guests attending the Merchant-Ambani wedding?
The creme de la creme of politics, sports, cinema, music and social media are descending in India for this starry wedding. According to a Bloomberg report, Hilary Clinton, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates will attend the grandiose nuptials.
Drake, Lana Del Ray and Ariana Grande will entertain wedding guests, rumour has it. Those rumours are probably true since Justin Beiber entertained wedding guests with a private concert on July 5. And Rihanna held her first full concert in 8 years for one of the pre-wedding parties in March.
Considering the groom is Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries CEO Mukesh Ambani, the world’s 9th richest man, and the bride is Radhika Merchant, daughter of pharmaceutical magnate Viren Merchant of Encore Healthcare, anything can happen.
When did the Radikha Merchant – Anant Ambani wedding events start?
This crazy rich Asian wedding has taken the world by storm with a seemingly endless string of extravagant pre-wedding functions. Starting away back in December 29, 2022, there’s been 9 events so far, including an 800-people cruise trip off the Italian and French coasts and Andrea Bocelli serenading guests.
The celebrations in Mumbai this week include a lavish three-day Monsoon wedding bash. A Shubh Vivah (wedding) ceremony will take place on July 12. Following that on July 13 is the Shubh Aashirwad (blessings) ceremony. The festivities come to a close on July 14 with a Mangal Utsav wedding reception.