India vs England T20 World Cup Semi-Final: Massive Traffic Chaos Hits South Mumbai As Coastal Road Closure Angers Commuters

Mumbai: South Mumbai ground to a near standstill on Thursday evening as thousands of cricket fans converged on Wankhede Stadium for the high-stakes T20 World Cup semi-final between India and England. With the match kicking off at 7 pm, key stretches around Marine Drive and the stadium precinct saw significant delays well before the first ball was bowled.

Frustrated motorists and spectators took to social media platform X to vent their anger over traffic jams and road closures, with several users alleging that the traffic management measures in place had caused more harm than good for daily commuters.

Coastal Road Shutdown Becomes Flashpoint

The sharpest criticism was directed at the reported closure of a section of the Coastal Road near the Haji Ali exit toward Marine Drive. One X user pointedly remarked that the Mumbai Police could either handle match-day traffic at Wankhede efficiently or push the public into severe inconvenience and that closing the Coastal Road had only deepened the gridlock across South Mumbai during match hours.

A second commuter posted that congestion around the Wankhede Stadium area had grown so severe that many spectators struggled to reach the venue on time. A third user flagged that blocking Coastal Road access during such a high-profile event had triggered long vehicle queues and created considerable difficulty for anyone travelling into South Mumbai.

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Traffic Advisory Had Been Issued a Day Earlier

The Mumbai Traffic Police had anticipated the rush and issued a traffic advisory on Wednesday ahead of the semi-final. The advisory noted that stadium gates would open for spectators at 4 pm, with a significant turnout expected. Motorists were asked to plan their journeys in advance and switch to alternate routes where feasible. Authorities also urged fans to opt for public transport to ease vehicular pressure around the Marine Drive and Churchgate areas.

High-Octane Match, High Footfall

Cricket at Wankhede invariably brings large crowds and the surrounding neighbourhoods Marine Drive, Churchgate, and Nariman Point bear the brunt of that footfall every time. With India up against England in a crucial semi-final, the turnout was always going to be exceptional, placing added strain on South Mumbai’s already stretched road network. Traffic personnel were deployed across the area to manage the surge and maintain as smooth a flow as conditions allowed.