The Western Express Highway witnessed major traffic disruption on Thursday morning after Vile Parle Police registered a case against 46 protesters, most of whom were drivers, for allegedly blocking the busy route. Police also seized 22 heavy vehicles that had reportedly been parked across the highway during peak office hours. Officials stated that the protest was held without any official permission. The traffic jam severely affected daily commuters, including office workers and students appearing for board examinations. Several ambulances were also caught in the congestion, which police said stretched as far as Malad and Kurar during the morning rush.
According to officials, the group of drivers had assembled ahead of a proposed statewide strike opposing the e-challan system, though the agitation was later postponed. Among those detained were five office-bearers from a transport organisation, while the remaining individuals were drivers and cleaners. They allegedly parked heavy vehicles along the southbound lane of the Andheri bridge, causing obstruction to traffic. The vehicles were deliberately positioned in a way that hindered movement on the highway, creating inconvenience for commuters travelling toward the southern parts of Mumbai. Police officials said the gathering was part of a coordinated protest aimed at demonstrating opposition to electronic traffic penalty enforcement.
Police personnel deployed for traffic management during the visit of Finland’s President noticed the parked trucks near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue on the southbound stretch of the highway. The vehicles were blocking the route leading toward south Mumbai. After the initial discovery, additional police teams were dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, officers observed a group of nearly 20 to 25 drivers assembled near the vehicles. Authorities asked them to immediately clear the road and move the trucks to restore normal traffic flow. However, the drivers allegedly refused to follow the instructions and continued to occupy the area.
The blockade significantly slowed down traffic movement on the busy highway, leading to long queues of vehicles during peak morning hours. Senior police inspector Gabaji Chimate reached the site to assess the situation and spoke with the protesting drivers. He questioned whether they had obtained permission from the police or any local authority to stage the demonstration. The drivers reportedly responded that they had not taken any such approval and would not seek permission. When police began efforts to remove the obstructing vehicles and restore traffic, the protesters allegedly turned aggressive and reportedly assaulted some officers present at the scene.