Public outrage over Mumbai traffic restrictions for wedding of Asia’s wealthiest billionaire Ambani’s heir

Anant Ambani, the son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and his fiancée Radhika Merchant. Photo from Instagram/loveleen_makeupandhair

The Hindustan Times reported that the local police announced on Friday that several key routes near Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Center, the venue for the wedding, would be subject to restricted access between 1 p.m. and midnight from July 12-15.

"Due to a public event at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex on July 5th and from July 12th to 15th, 2024, the following traffic arrangements will be implemented for the smooth flow of traffic," the Mumbai Traffic Police stated on X, along with a list of the routes that will be restricted.

However, these traffic restrictions have been met with disapproval from social media users and Mumbaikars, who criticized the authorities for categorizing the Ambani wedding as a "public event," as reported by The Indian Express.

"What a waste of a department is Mumbai Police," commented one user. "They consider a private wedding as a public event. Pathetic."

"This is nonsense," another user remarked. "How can you inconvenience people and stop them from coming to the office for a private event? Why not hold the event after office hours?"

The July 12-14 wedding festivities are scheduled to include a wedding ceremony on July 12, a blessing ceremony on July 13, and a wedding reception on July 14. Guests are encouraged to dress in "Indian chic" style for the grand event.

Prior to the July wedding, the couple celebrated with two lavish pre-wedding parties: one in India in March and another on a yacht traveling from Palermo, Italy to the South of France at the end of May.

Anant, 28, is the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, who leads the Reliance Industries conglomerate with annual revenues of US$110 billion.

As of July 9, Forbes estimated Mukesh Ambani’s net worth at US$123.7 billion, positioning him as the richest person in Asia and the 11th wealthiest globally.

Radhika, 29, is the daughter of Shri Viren Merchant, CEO of the notable Indian healthcare company Encore Healthcare.

Both Anant and Radhika hold degrees from American universities.