Maratha quota stir Day 4 : Agitation brings Mumbai to a halt; streets blocked, schools shut – what to expect today | Mumbai News
MUMBAI: The Maratha quota protest entered its fourth day on Monday, with thousands of protestors continuing their sit-in at Azad Maidan, leading to heavy traffic congestion and heightened security across South Mumbai. An estimated 35,000–45,000 people have gathered since Thursday, arriving in over 650 vehicles, mostly tempos and trucks, parked from Azad Maidan to Hutatma Chowk and P D’Mello Road.Mumbai traffic police have diverted routes to ease congestion. Vehicles heading towards CSMT and adjoining areas are being rerouted. JJ Marg traffic is being diverted via MRA Marg police station towards the police commissioner’s office and onwards to Metro Cinema junction. Eastern Freeway traffic may also be diverted depending on the situation, while north-bound traffic on DN Road is being directed towards Fashion Street and Metro Cinema. Though suburban trains are running as per schedule, crowding at CSMT and nearby stations has become unavoidable. Intercity trains are operating normally, though officials warn of possible short delays due to traffic around the stations. Roads around CSMT saw a heavy presence of protestors on Sunday, though police said congestion on Eastern Freeway and P D’Mello Road was less severe compared to Friday and Saturday. Commuters also reported traffic snarls at Chembur while accessing the Freeway. At CSMT, many activists sought shelter from rain inside the premises, but the Sunday holiday kept the situation under control. RPF and GRP personnel were deployed to maintain order, ensuring train operations remained unaffected. Protest leader Manoj Jarange Patil, continuing his indefinite hunger strike, announced he would stop drinking water from Monday to intensify his agitation. “Till Marathas get reservation under the OBC quota, we will not leave Mumbai,” he declared, urging followers to remain peaceful. He appealed to authorities to allow protestors to park at open grounds like Wankhede Stadium and advised them not to indulge in violence or give money to middlemen. The state government’s cabinet subcommittee on Maratha reservation, led by BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, met on Sunday with senior leaders Girish Mahajan, Shivendraraje Bhonsale and Dada Bhuse, but no breakthrough was reported. CM Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that while the government was committed to addressing community concerns, it could not act against the Constitution.Top developments:Traffic Advisory:
- Avoid going towards CSMT and adjoining areas
- JJ Marg traffic will be diverted from MRA Marg police station towards the police commissioner’s office and thereon to Metro Cinema junction
- Eastern Freeway traffic could be diverted towards JJ Marg, depending on the situation
- DN Road north-bound traffic diversion to Fashion Street, Metro Cinema
- All suburban trains are expected to run as per schedule, but crowding at CSMT and nearby stations is likely
Security deployment:
- RPF, GRP, and MSF personnel remain stationed at key stations to manage crowd flow and prevent any disruption at railway premises
- Intercity trains are running normally, though short delays cannot be ruled out due to traffic congestion around CSMT, which may affect passenger access
Meanwhile, schools and colleges around Fort, including St Xavier’s College and Cathedral and John Connon School, announced a shift to online classes on Monday due to the ongoing protest.
