Selfie Craze Grips Bandra: Christmas Eve Chaos & Parking Havoc

Bandra: Mumbai Bandra’s popular spots—Reclamation and Carter Road—were overwhelmed on Christmas Eve, drawing large crowds mesmerized by dazzling Christmas lights. However, the festive cheer soon gave way to chaos as a selfie craze led to severe traffic congestion. Motorists, drawn by the light displays, parked their vehicles illegally in double and triple rows, blocking the streets and causing gridlocks that persisted well past midnight.

With no nearby parking options, visitors resorted to parking on highways, exacerbating the issue. Police issued e-challans to 479 vehicles but prioritized clearing the roads for traffic. Senior Inspector Subhash Shinde from the Bandra Traffic Division highlighted the severity of the situation: “The traffic started building from 5:30 pm and didn’t ease until after midnight, even after the lights had turned off.”

Adding to the frustration was the ongoing construction work in Bandra West, particularly around Lucky Junction. Furthermore, there were complaints about the unavailability of metered auto-rickshaws for trips to Bandra Reclamation.

With the New Year’s Eve celebrations approaching, Mumbai Police issued a traffic advisory to prevent further disruptions. Authorities warned of heavy congestion and no-parking zones along Carter Road, KC Marg, and Reclamation Road. Alternative routes have been suggested to ease the traffic flow.

For residents and visitors, this festive chaos serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by unregulated crowds and limited infrastructure.