Mumbai Traffic Chaos as Maratha Protest Disrupts Commute

Mumbai, August 29 (PTI) – Office-goers faced significant challenges on Friday morning as thousands of Maratha protesters made their way to Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. The protest was organized by activist Manoj Jarange.

Traffic became severely congested in the city’s southern and eastern areas, with roads leading to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) being particularly affected. Several buses were caught in jams during the morning rush.

The congestion at CSMT junction posed difficulties for the daily influx of office-goers who commute to business hubs like Nariman Point, Fort, Kalbadevi, and Crawford Market. These individuals typically use BEST buses or taxis to reach their workplaces.

To exacerbate the situation, suburban services on the Central Railway were delayed due to an engine snag in a goods train. This technical issue caused a bunching of local trains near Byculla station on the main line, leading to crowded trains and unavailable buses.

A suburban commuter reported that all stations and local trains on the Harbour line were more crowded than usual, with Maratha quota protesters present at every station between Wadala and CSMT.

The protest resulted in delays, diversions, and the curtailment of several key routes in the BEST bus services. Passengers noted that many buses were overcrowded. A BEST spokesperson mentioned that all services bound for south Mumbai via Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marg were stopped at Dadar, while other routes halted at Bharatmata, Mumbai Central, and other locations.

The Mumbai traffic police advised motorists to avoid the Eastern Freeway, a primary corridor to south Mumbai, due to heavy congestion. Manoj Jarange and his convoy reached Azad Maidan via the Eastern Freeway, where many vehicles were parked in the vicinity.

Law enforcement was visibly present at and around Azad Maidan to uphold order. The agitation also adversely impacted students, causing several educational institutions to report low attendance.

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