Mumbai: Barring minor incidents of stone-throwing in parts of the city and disruption of road and rail traffic, the Opposition-sponsored "Mumbai bandh" to pay homage to the Ghatkopar blast victims was by and large "peaceful" and evoked "good response", police said.

Road and rail services were thrown out of gear as Shiv Sainiks blocked traffic by squatting on tracks and streets.

Suburban train services were paralysed at Dombivali, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Diva, Kalyan, Govandi, Sewri, Wadala, Currey Road and Chinchpokli on Central Railway route and Borivali, Dadar and Marine lines on Western Railway section.

However, Sena activists allowed the prestigious Rajdhani and August Kranti express trains to proceed to Mumbai Central from Borivali, Railway sources said.

Early on July 30 morning, long distance train services were disrupted for a brief period. However, all the trains started plying as per schedule after 12 noon, the sources said.

Shiv Sainiks staged "rasta roko" at some places including mahim while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists demonstrated near Mantralaya.

Bombay Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus services were also affected at various places with minor reports of stray stone pelting incidents at Chembur, Girgaum, Parel, Santacruz, Vakola, areas. Nine buses were damaged. 50 per cent of the staff reported for duty.

In the satellite town of Navi Mumbai, stone-throwing incidents were reported and a total bandh was observed. In nearby Thane, the bandh evoked "good response", police said.

40,000 policemen were deployed all over to maintain law and order as educational institutions, shops and commercial establishments remained closed. Flights to and fro from Mumbai were rescheduled.

PTI