Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, and other major cities are ramping up security and issuing traffic advisories to prevent delays during Dussehra celebrations this Saturday. With festivities peaking, authorities are particularly vigilant in areas where Durga immersions, Ravana Dahan, and street performances may disrupt traffic.
In Mumbai, the Dussehra celebrations also coincide with a political showdown, as two factions of the Shiv Sena have announced rallies to mobilize support ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections. Both groups are competing for voter allegiance and asserting their claim to the legacy of the late Bal Thackeray.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) will hold its rally at the historic Shivaji Park in Dadar, while Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will address his faction at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. The Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park has been a longstanding tradition since the 1960s, initiated by Bal Thackeray and continued by Uddhav Thackeray.
Following the party split, Eknath Shinde’s faction hosted their Dussehra rally at MMRDA ground in Bandra Kurla Complex and later moved to Azad Maidan.
To accommodate the expected influx of supporters, both factions will deploy fleets of 3,000 buses to transport workers from across the state, resulting in significant crowds. In response, the Mumbai police have committed over 12,000 personnel to ensure safety during the rallies and the immersion of Durga idols.
