Mumbai: 164 children who went missing during Chhath Puja reunited with kin

Mumbai Police traced as many as 164 children in 12 hours after they went missing from various seafronts in the city during Chhath Puja celebrations an official said on Monday reported the PTIThe official said the missing children were reunited with their family membersThe children in the age group of 3 to 13 years reportedly went missing from beaches in Juhu and Versova and in suburban Santacruz as devotees started gathering at these spots from Sunday evening till Monday dawn as per the PTIMany residents of Mumbai and those from extended suburbs in Thane and Palghar districts gathered at the seafronts to perform rituals dedicated to the worship of the Sun GodChhath Puja festival is mainly celebrated by natives of Bihar Uttar Pradesh Jharkhand and parts of NepalMore than 35 lakh devotees attended Chhath puja events in Juhu Versova and Santacruz the official saidHe said police had made necessary arrangements to ensure that no untoward incident occurred during celebrationsAt least 500 police constables and 125 officers were deployed for the security of devotees he said adding that traffic police ensured a smooth flow of vehiclesThe police control room received information about 88 children going missing in Santacruz 75 in Juhu and one from Sagar Kutir at Versova beach the official saidAll the 164 missing children were traced and brought to local control rooms set up temporarily These children were reunited with their family members after their identity was established he addedMeanwhile ahead of the Chhath Puja in Mumbai the Mumbai Police had also issued traffic restrictions in western suburbs of the cityMumbai Police on Saturday issued vehicle parking restrictions for citizens ahead of the Chhath Puja in Juhu area of Mumbai on November 19In a traffic notification Mumbai Police had said The Chhath Puja 2023 will be celebrated from 1400 hrs on 19112023 up to 1100 hrs on 20112023 About 4 to 5 lakh devotees are expected to congregate at Juhu beach for performing Chhath PujaThe police had said There will be heavy pedestrian crossing as well as movement of auto rickshaws and other vehicles in large number on Juhu Tara Road Juhu Road VM Road and Birla Lane Hence traffic will be slow on above mentioned roads during these hours Therefore people are requested to use SV Road and Western Express Highway as alternative route to avoid delay and inconveniencewith PTI inputs