Hello, Mumbaikars!

If you are living in Mumbai, you know that navigating the city's traffic is practically an extreme sport. But, for those of you who take the Western Express Highway (WEH) for your daily commute to work, college, or the airport, I have some very important news for you.

You need to mark your calendars for February 17, 2026.

The city is gearing up for a very high-profile event, and as a result, the Mumbai Traffic Police have announced significant traffic diversions and restrictions. To help you plan your day and avoid getting stuck in a bumper-to-bumper nightmare, I’ve broken down everything you need to know about the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Grab your chai, sit back, and let’s dive into the details so you aren’t caught off guard!

The Big Event: Why the Rush?

Before we get into the which road is closed part, let’s talk about why this is happening. On February 17, Mumbai will be hosting two major global leaders:

1. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
2. The President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

Whenever VIPs of this stature visit a city, security protocols are dialed up to the maximum level. It’s not just about a few police cars. it involves securing entire corridors for safe passage. Because of this, the Mumbai Traffic Police has to ensure the roads are clear, safe, and secure, which inevitably leads to restrictions for the general public.

While this is a proud moment for the city to host such dignitaries, it does mean a little bit of inconvenience for the aam aadmi (common man) on the road. But don't worry, that’s exactly why this blog post exists to help you navigate around it!

The Core Announcement: What You Need to Know

Based on the official notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Western Suburbs, Mumbai, here is the most critical information you need to know right now.

1. The Date

The restrictions are strictly for Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

2. The Time Slot

This isn't just a one-hour pause. The restrictions will be in place for a whopping 13 hours.

• Start Time: 8:00 AM
• End Time: 9:00 PM

This covers the entire peak morning rush hour AND the peak evening rush hour. If you are on the road during the day, this affects you.

3. The Affected Route

The main impact will be felt on the Western Express Highway (WEH).
Specifically, the stretch from Vakola Flyover all the way to Dahisar Toll Naka.

This is a massive stretch of road that connects the suburbs to the city and is the lifeline for millions of commuters daily.

Detailed Breakdown: The Heavy Vehicle Ban

According to the instructions issued by the Mumbai Traffic Police, the biggest restriction is aimed at Heavy Motor Vehicles.

What exactly is banned?

The notification states that the movement of all heavy motor vehicles will be completely prohibited. This includes:

• Trucks
• Trailers
• Dumpers
• Large commercial goods carriers
• Any other heavy transport vehicles

The Scope of the Ban

This isn't just for one side of the road. The ban applies to both the Northbound and Southbound carriageways.

• Northbound: Going towards Borivali/Dahisar/Gujarat.
• Southbound: Going towards Bandra/Town/South Mumbai.

If you run a logistics business, drive a truck, or are expecting a large delivery on February 17th, you need to reschedule. These vehicles will strictly not be allowed to pass through the corridor between Vakola Flyover and Dahisar Toll Naka during the restricted hours (8 AM to 9 PM).

Are There Any Exemptions?

Yes, thankfully, the authorities have made exceptions for essential services. The police notice clarifies that the following vehicles are exempt from these restrictions and will be allowed to ply as usual:

1. Ambulances: Medical emergencies will always take priority.
2. Fire Brigade Vehicles: Safety first!
3. Police Vehicles: For security and traffic management.
4. Government Vehicles: Other official vehicles required for duty.

Basically, if it’s an emergency vehicle or part of the essential government machinery, it can pass. Everyone else especially heavy commercial traffic needs to stay off the WEH.

How Will This Affect Car and Bike Owners?

Now, you might be thinking, "I drive a sedan or I ride a scooter, so I am safe, right?"

Well, yes and no.

There’s more to life than simply increasing its speed.

By Udaipur Freelancer

The Good News

Light Motor Vehicles (cars, taxis, rickshaws, two-wheelers) are not banned. You are legally allowed to use the Western Express Highway.

The Reality Check

Even though cars aren't banned, the authorities have issued an advisory urging caution. Here is why your commute might still be tough:

1. VIP Movement: When the convoy of the PM and the French President moves, traffic will likely be halted temporarily at various junctions. These rolling blocks can cause sudden pile-ups that take hours to clear.
2. Ripple Effect: Since heavy vehicles are banned from the main highway, they might clog up the service roads or wait at the entry points (like Dahisar Check Naka), causing chaos at the borders.
3. Feeder Roads: Traffic often spills over from the highway onto the connecting roads (Link Road, SV Road). If the highway is slow, the alternate routes get choked.

The official advisory explicitly says: "Light motor vehicles are likely to face slower movement as traffic is diverted."

So, while you can drive, you probably shouldn't unless you have plenty of time to spare.

Commuter Survival Guide: Tips for February 17

To ensure you don’t end up venting your frustration on Twitter while stuck in a jam, here are some practical tips to handle the day:

1. Plan Ahead

This is not the day to leave your house 5 minutes late. If you have an important meeting, a doctor's appointment, or an exam, leave at least 1 to 2 hours earlier than usual.

2. Use Public Transport (The Real Lifesaver)

Mumbai has a great public transport backbone use it!

• Mumbai Metro: The Metro Lines (specifically Line 7 and 2A which run parallel to the WEH) are your best friends on this day. They fly over the traffic and are unaffected by road closures.
• Local Trains: The Western Railway local trains will be running as per schedule. They might be a bit more crowded than usual if people ditch their cars, but they are reliable.

3. Check for Live Updates

On the day of the event, keep an eye on the Mumbai Traffic Police Twitter handle or listen to the radio. Traffic situations change dynamically during VIP visits.

4. Avoid the WEH if Possible

If you have to travel by road, try to use alternate north-south corridors:

• S.V. Road: Runs parallel to the west of the railway line.
• Link Road: Further west, usually a decent alternative, though likely to be busy.
• Coastal Road: If you are traveling from South Mumbai to the suburbs (up to a certain point), this could be a good bypass.

Special Note for Airport Travelers

This is extremely important.

The restricted stretch starts at the Vakola Flyover. For those who know Mumbai geography, Vakola is practically the gateway to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), specifically Terminal 1 (Domestic) and the approach to Terminal 2 (International).

If you have a flight to catch on February 17 between 8 AM and 9 PM:

• Do not rely on the estimated time shown on Google Maps.
• Factor in significant delays near the airport approach.
• Consider taking the Metro to the station nearest the airport and taking a rickshaw for the last mile to avoid the highway jam.
• Leave home very, very early. It is better to spend an extra hour reading a book at the airport gate than to miss your flight while staring at the bumper of a truck in Santa Cruz.

Why This Matters

You might feel annoyed by the inconvenience, and that is valid. However, hosting international leaders is a part of diplomatic protocol.

• Standard Safety Measures: The restrictions are part of standard Blue Book security protocols for the Prime Minister.
• Global Image: Smooth movement for foreign dignitaries projects a good image of the city’s administration (even if it involves a bit of duct-taping the chaos for a day!).
• Temporary Pain: Remember, this is just for one day. Things will go back to the usual Mumbai chaos on February 18th.

Summary of the Official Notification

Just to recap, here is the text directly derived from the official police documents shared in the images:

• Authority: Mumbai Traffic Police (Western Suburbs Division).
• Event: Visit of PM of India and President of France.
• Date: 17th February 2026.
• Restriction Time: 08:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs.
• Restriction Place: Western Express Highway (Vakola Flyover to Dahisar Toll Naka).
• Prohibition: No Heavy Motor Vehicles allowed.
• Advisory: Citizens urged to cooperate to ensure smooth movement and avoid last-minute chaos.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, folks! That is the full rundown on the traffic situation for February 17.

The Bottom Line:
If you drive a truck, stay away from the WEH.
If you drive a car, expect delays and plan accordingly.
If you can, take the Metro or the Local Train.

Mumbai is a city that never stops, even when the traffic does. Let's show our resilience, plan our travel smartly, and get through the day with patience.

Share this blog post with your friends, family, and WhatsApp groups so no one gets stuck unaware!

Safe travels, Mumbai!