The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Mumbai the most with 24,118 cases being recorded as of May 21, 1:00 pm. However, despite Mumbai being a coronavirus hotspot, people have been flouting lockdown norms, putting themselves as well as others at risk. In one instance, there was a crowd at the Bandra station too with migrants queueing up to catch the Shramik Express from Mumbai to Bihar. In another instance, heavy vehicular traffic was seen on the Western Express Highway (WEH) on Monday.
However, the traffic police took action against the people on the WEH and impounded 1,000 vehicles. Continuing the action against the defaulters, the traffic police impounded over 6,000 vehicles on Tuesday and Wednesday for violating lockdown rules. Among the vehicles that were impounded on Wednesday was actor Ranvir Shorey's SUV which was later released that night after Tourism Minister and Worli MLA, Aaditya Thackeray intervened in the matter.
As per the traffic police data, as many as 4,294 vehicles were impounded on Tuesday whereas another 2,000 were seized on Wednesday. Among the vehicles impounded on Tuesday, the highest were autorickshaws (1,700), followed by motorcycles (1,150) and private cars (1,057).
In areas such as Mulund, Bhandup, and Ghatkopar, the traffic police allegedly held bikes that were carrying three people. Alongside, Mulund MLA Mihir Kotecha said that motorists have been using signs on the windshields of their cars, claiming to be associated with essential services. He asked the police officials to only allow genuine ones to ply on the road.
However, not all are happy with the move to impound the vehicles. Actor Soni Razdan said that the cars with groceries were also being impounded at Juhu.
"What is going on in Juhu today @MumbaiPolice. Peoples cars are being impounded by CRPF and they are having to walk home with heavy groceries isn’t that more dangerous than being in a car. Also do you expect us not to buy our daily needs. This lockdown getting inhuman," she said.What is going on in Juhu today @MumbaiPolice Peoples cars are being impounded by CRPF and they are having to walk home with heavy groceries isn’t that more dangerous than being in a car. Also do you expect us not to buy our daily needs. This lockdown getting inhuman
— Soni Razdan (@Soni_Razdan) May 20, 2020
The traffic police are planning to continue the action until the end of the lockdown. Meanwhile, the traffic department officials have stated that the seized vehicles can be released after 12-36 hours following detention after paying fines of up to Rs. 2,000.
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