Traffic policemen deputed out of Mumbai on election duty will be back in town to manage the rush of Diwali shoppers and revelers. The traffic department has asked all such personnel to resume regular duty as soon as possible and tackle the rush that has been causing large traffic jams across the city and suburbs n the last couple of days.

A traffic police official said, “Around 300-400 police personnel were sent out on election duty. In the absence of enough constables on the streets, there have been traffic problems to an extent over the past few days. All the personnel who had been deputed on election duty have been told to join normal duties; they are expected to return soon.”

Some areas suffer chronically from traffic problems during Diwali. The official listed Dadar, Lalbaug, Kurla and Crawford Market, saying the markets there see large Diwali crowds. Nana Chowk, DB Marg, Tardeo and SV Road also need extra attention, he said.