Maharashtra Declares December 6 as Local Holiday for Mahaparinirvan Diwas in Mumbai and Suburbs

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has declared December 6, 2024, a local holiday for government and semi-government offices in Mumbai and suburban areas to observe Mahaparinirvan Diwas—the 68th death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.

The decision was announced through an official notification issued by the state government, marking the third such local holiday this year after Dahi Handi and Ganesh Visarjan.

Tributes at Chaityabhoomi

Every year, thousands of people gather at Chaityabhoomi, located at Shivaji Park in Dadar, to pay homage to Dr. Ambedkar. This memorial, where Ambedkar was cremated, becomes a hub for followers who travel from across the country to honor his legacy.

Special Train Arrangements for December 5-6

To manage the large influx of visitors, the Central Railway has announced several measures:

• Special Trains: 12 additional suburban trains—six on the main line and six on the harbor line—will run on the nights of December 5 and 6 to cater to the expected crowd.
• Holding Area: A designated area between the Central and Western Railway lines at Dadar has been set up to accommodate 7,000-8,000 people.
• Crowd Management: Separate entry and exit points at Dadar have been arranged to streamline the movement of visitors.

Information and Assistance:

• Train schedules and numbers for special services will be prominently displayed at major stations, including Mumbai CSMT, Dadar, Thane, and Kalyan.
• Frequent announcements are being made via central and station-level systems to guide passengers.
• Help desks have been set up to assist visitors with directions to Chaityabhoomi and Rajgruh, Ambedkar’s former residence, now converted into a memorial.

Enhanced Security Measures:

• Ticket Checking Squads: Staff and ticket checkers, along with Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), have been deployed to monitor reserved coaches and ensure the entry of legitimate passengers.
• Restricted Platform Tickets: Only select groups, including senior citizens and persons with disabilities (divyangs), will be allowed platform tickets at key stations until December 9.

About Mahaparinirvan Diwas

Mahaparinirvan Diwas commemorates the death of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who passed away on December 6, 1956. The day holds immense significance for his followers, who consider it an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to his ideals of equality and social justice.