Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will be in Mumbai on Feb. 17. During their visit to Mumbai, the two leaders will hold a bilateral summit. Ahead of the visit of PM Modi and Macron, the Mumbai Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory for several parts of the city, including the Western Express Highway (WEH), a major route for commuters.
Due to the visit of the Prime Minister of India and the President of France, temporary traffic restrictions will be imposed in Mumbai on February 17, 2026. From 8 am to 9 pm, the movement of all heavy motor vehicles will be completely prohibited on both the northbound and… pic.twitter.com/2go5VksKnx
— Richa Pinto (@richapintoi) February 15, 2026
Why Western Express Highway Is Critical To Mumbai's Connectivity
The Western Express Highway (WEH) is one of Mumbai's most important roadways, connecting the city's southern business districts with its northern suburbs. It is around 25 kilometres from Bandra to Mira Bhayandar, and supports daily commutes, those heading to the airport and heavy intra-city traffic. Any disruption on the WEH often creates congestion across suburbs, including Bandra, Andheri and Borivali.
Lifeline For Commuters And Airport Travel
WEH serves as a vital corridor for commuters heading to and from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The highway links areas such as Bandra, Andheri, Goregaon, Malad, Borivali and Mira Bhayandar. Its integration with the WEH metro station further strengthens accessibility, making it a major component of Mumbai's transport network.
Suburbs, Infrastructure Along WEH
WEH passes through various important localities in Mumbai, starting from Bandra, which is a major commercial and residential hub. Then it covers Andheri, a business centre with offices, shopping and transport links. It continues through Goregaon, home to film studios, IT parks and residential areas. From there, WEH heads towards Malad, a suburb with malls, hospitals and schools. The Highway runs through Kandivali, a mix of residential and commercial zones, and then passes through Borivali, the gateway to Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It ends at Mira Bhayandar, marking the transition to Mumbai's extended metropolitan region. Numerous flyovers, bridges and underpasses along WEH help manage heavy traffic efficiently.
Connecting Mumbai To The Wider Region
WEH is part of National Highway 48 (NH 48) and links Mumbai to Maharashtra and Gujarat. It connects South Mumbai through the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, western suburbs and extended metropolitan areas including Vasai, Virar and Palghar. The highway also integrates with other major routes, such as the Eastern Express Highway, ensuring smoother travel across the city.
Western Express Highway: Temporary Traffic Restrictions
According to a notification issued on Feb. 13 by the Mumbai Traffic Police, temporary traffic restrictions will be imposed on the Western Express Highway on Feb. 17 as part of security arrangements. The restrictions, in effect from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., will ban the movement of all heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) on both northbound and southbound carriageways between Vakola Flyover and Dahisar Toll Naka, a busy corridor linking Mumbai's suburbs with the city's northern entry points. Emergency services such as ambulances, fire brigade vehicles, police units, and government vehicles assigned for VVIP security will, however, be allowed to move. Officials have advised commuters to plan journeys in advance and use alternate routes where possible.
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