Quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil-led Maratha Morcha in Mumbai entered its fourth day on Monday, September 1. More protestors are entering the city to participate in the agitation against the Maharashtra government regarding the 10% reservation for Maratha community. Traffic jams were reported in the city as protesters blocked roads.
Agitators were seen sitting in the middle of the roads outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station. Some Maratha agitators were seen climbing Mumbai Police barricades in protest, which has created congestion and chaos.
Security has been tightened in and around Azad Maidan, where more than 45,000 people have gathered since Thursday. 650 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and tempos of agitators, were parked near Azad Maidan on Hutatma Chowk Road and P D'Mello Road.
Mumbai Local Train Update
A huge crowd of Maratha protestors was seen at the CSMT station chanting and dancing, causing significant disruption in train operations. Daily passengers struggled to walk and board during morning hours as large groups rushed inside trains, blocking doors and causing serious inconvenience. However, suburban trains are running on time, while intercity trains are operating normally. RPF and GRP personnel were deployed to maintain order, ensuring train operations remained unaffected.
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Mumbai Traffic Update
Mumbai Traffic Police issued an advisory amid the ongoing protest for smooth travel for Mumbaikars. Routes were diverted to ease road congestion and chaos. Traffic police, in its advisory, said vehicles heading towards CSMT and adjoining areas are being routed. JJ Flyover traffic is being diverted via MRA Marg police station towards the police commissioner's office and onwards to Metro Cinema junction.
Northbound traffic on DN Road is being directed towards Fashion Street (FS) and Metro Cinema. Depending on the situation, Eastern Freeway traffic may also be diverted.
"The Maratha reservation protest, which has been ongoing at Azad Maidan for nearly four days, is growing in numbers each day. While it is their right to protest, as traders, we also have a duty to highlight that our businesses are being affected. As the protest intensifies and more people take to the streets, it is causing significant inconvenience, for people trying to travel from one place to another," said Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association, President Viren Shah.