Anant Ambani’s Wedding Brings Mumbai Traffic to Standstill Amid Public Event Designation

Mumbai, 11th July 2024: MUMBAI: Traffic in a crucial part of the city will come to a halt for the four-day wedding extravaganza of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia’s wealthiest person, Mukesh Ambani, and his longtime girlfriend Radhika Merchant, set to take place in Mumbai this week. The event, attended by celebrities, business leaders, and politicians, has been designated a “public event” due to the presence of prominent international and Indian VIPs, according to police.

Residents have expressed frustration over road closures near the venue, the upscale Jio World Convention Centre owned by Ambani’s Reliance conglomerate in Mumbai’s central business district. These roads will only be accessible to “event vehicles” from 1 p.m. to midnight during July 12-15, despite Mumbai’s notorious traffic congestion, particularly exacerbated during the monsoon season.

The area around the venue has already experienced traffic delays, with elaborate decorations featuring decorative lights and red flowers. Marigolds and bright yellow lights adorn the trees outside Ambani’s 27-storey residence, Antilia, in Mumbai.

While details of the guest list remain undisclosed, the event is anticipated to be star-studded. Recently, Justin Bieber performed at a private pre-wedding concert, where he also posed with the bride and groom, both attired in haute couture interpretations of traditional Indian attire.

Earlier this year, Rihanna performed at a separate three-day pre-wedding celebration in Gujarat, attended by notable figures like Bill Gates and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. In May, the Ambanis hosted a pre-wedding luxury cruise in Europe with 800 guests, including Bollywood luminaries and cricketers.

Videos and photos from recent celebrations, including one showing the Ambani family dancing to a Bollywood song and another of Mukesh Ambani and his wife accompanied by their grandchildren, have circulated widely on social media and been extensively covered by Indian media.

The wedding ceremony on Friday will feature traditional Hindu rituals, followed by a two-day reception. Additionally, a “special reception” for Ambani’s household staff is scheduled for Monday, according to event plans.

Rajan Mehra, CEO of Club One Air, revealed that the Ambanis have chartered three Falcon-2000 jets from his company to transport wedding guests, with over 100 private planes expected to be utilized for the festivities.

However, some Mumbai residents have voiced discontent on social media, questioning the classification of the event as public and its impact on the general public.