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A bandh-like situation prevailed on Sunday in many parts of the city, Navi Mumbai, Thane and several towns in Maharashtra in the wake of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's death.
Markets were shut and taxis and autos off the streets. The authorities had advised Mumbaikars to take to the roads only in the case of an emergency.
India's financial capital wore a deserted look as taxis, autorickshaws and private vehicles remained off the roads, and shops and other commercial establishments chose to down their shutters.
Even as people thronged to catch a glimpse of the Sena patriarch and pay homage to him, shops, restaurants, hotels, theatres, malls and other commercial establishments remained shut and private vehicles, taxis, autorickshaws remained off the roads. Medical shops in the city as well as in neighbouring Thane were also closed.
Except civic body's BEST buses and suburban railways, no transport is available for the commuters. "BEST and suburban railways are running additional buses and trains for people's convenience," a railway official said.
About 20,000 police personnel were deployed to keep a strict vigil in the metropolis to maintain law and order. "No violence has been reported in the city during the day," a police officer said.
Jewellers to down shutters on Monday
Jewellers across Mumbai will keep their establishments closed on Monday to mourn the death of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. "All retailers, wholesalers and jewellers will keep their establishments in Mumbai, including Zaveri Bazar, closed on Monday," said Kumar Jain, the vice president of Mumbai Bullion Association.
On a routine day, the retailers, wholesalers and bullion traders do a business of around Rs 250 crore. Jain said though the shops in Zaveri Bazar are usually shut on Sunday, they chose to close down on Monday also.
