Ratan Tata’s Final Journey To Start At 4 pm: Mortal Remains Will Be Brought To Worli Parsi Cemetery Via Coastal Road

The mortal remains of legendary industrialist Ratan Tata will be taken to the Parsi cemetery in Worli via coastal road around 4 pm on Thursday.

Tata, who is credited with transforming the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, died at age 86 at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday night.

Tata’s mortal remains, draped in the national flag and hearse decked with white flowers, were brought from his home in Colaba to the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in south Mumbai, a couple of kilometres away, for public darshan from 10 am to 3.30 pm. The Mumbai Police band played a tune as mark of respect.

A sea of corporate leaders, politicians and celebrities turned up to pay final respects to the former Tata Group chairman at the NCPA. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was among the early visitors at Tata’s home. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra’s education minister Deepak Kesarkar and industrialist Mukesh Ambani were among those who rushed to the hospital after hearing about Tata’s death.

First, the mortal remains will be placed in the prayer hall where the last rites will be performed.

The cemetery has two electric incinerators and can accommodate 200 people in the prayer hall. The last rites will take 45 minutes. CM Shinde has said Ratan Tata will be accorded a state funeral and has even passed a resolution seeking Bharat Ratna for the industrialist.

The Mumbai Traffic Police has announced diversions, mainly around Dr Annie Besant Road, Senapati Bapat Road and Worli Naka from 1pm to 9pm.

The Maharashtra government has declared a day of mourning in the state on Thursday to pay tributes to Ratan Tata, the Chief Minister’s Office said.

A statement quoting CM Shinde said the national tricolour on government offices in Maharashtra will be flown at half-mast on Thursday as a sign of mourning.