Stopping For Selfies On Atal Setu? Mumbai Police Warn Of Fines And FIRs

The Mumbai Traffic Police have warned the people that they will lodge an FIR against those who stop on the newly-launched Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) to take selfies.

The warning comes after hundreds of vehicles were stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic over the weekend. The video clips doing rounds on social media showed long queues of vehicles and traffic jams on the sea bridge.

As per a report in The Indian Express, 264 motorists were penalised Rs 500 each on Sunday for unnecessarily stopping their vehicles for clicking pictures which affected vehicular movement on the sea bridge.

"Given the viral social media photos and videos about the sea bridge, people thronged it on Sunday for joyride and stopped in the middle of the bridge for taking selfies, blocking the lanes," said an officer of Mumbai traffic police.

The MTHL is a six-lane 22-kilometre bridge which is said to be the longest sea bridge in India. 16.5 kilometres of the bridge length is over water while the rest is over land. The cost of the project is over Rs 17,000 crore.

It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last week.

Responding to the Mumbai Traffic Police's warning, a user said, "Good. Now pls confirm how many FIR has been registered." Another user said, "It's new and our @CMOMaharashtra definitely agree for making some points to picnic spot as public wishes we and @Dev_Fadnavis also want people to see and enjoy it, make one dedicate line to enjoy this Atal setu @PMOIndia must take some steps so public and travellers enjoy it

Just wondering which police station will take jurisdiction for FIR? High time the government sets up a special force to deal with jurisdiction issues since many sea bridges are being constructed!

The fourth user added, "You better start acting ... today a three wheeler was riding on the bridge We don't see technology being used to catch such stoppers etc."

The fifth netizen claimed, "Sir it's illegal but let Mumbai enjoy the view for few weeks atleast. For all the trouble we have faced all this years itna toh AAP maaf kar hi sakte hai