Chaos on road, but air traffic not affected

Though the city was rocked by seven blasts, the airline services were largely unaffected.

All the international flights took off on time. RS Tiwari, assistant airport manager, Sahar, said, “Everything is normal here, there have been no delays or rescheduling of any of the flights. The airlines have not been affected due to the blasts.”

Some commuters complained of slow abysmal traffic, though. Said Rohit Gonkar, “It took me three hours from Chembur to reach the airport. I was to meet a relative, but the meeting had to be cancelled.”

Those who had just arrived in the city had no idea of the serial blasts.

The scene on the Western Express Highway near the domestic airport was quite different. At least 50 BJP members from the team of Parag Alavani, BJP leader in the BMC, were distributing biscuits and juices to the tired travellers who were stuck in the traffic snarl.

Milind Pradhan, a BJP worker, said, “We have exhausted more than 100 packets of biscuits. We are helping the wary travelers by giving them fruits, juices and medical aid if necessary.”

Even heavy rains did not dampen their spirits—the samaritans, both men and women, were seen serving the needy till late into the night.