Manoj Jarange Mumbai Morcha: Traffic Advisory, Road Closures and Route Diversions

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil is organising a Mumbai Morcha protest march in Mumbai to Azad Maidan today. Keeping in mind about the protest march, Mumbai police have announced traffic restrictions across major city roads on August 29. If you are travelling on or near the protest march routes, you should be prepared for traffic congestions and delays.

Manoj Jarange Mumbai Morcha: Road closures and diversions

The Mumbai Traffic Police advisory states that key arterial roads including Eastern Freeway, Panvel–Sion Road, V.N. Purav Road, P.D’Mello Road, Wallchand Hirachand Marg, Dr. Dadabhai Nauroji Road, and Hajarimal Somani Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic except emergency vehicles.

Vehicles travelling from Vashi to Panjarpol, Southbound via Freeway, Veer Jijabai Bhosale Marg to Trombay, and Chhedanagar to Freeway are also prohibited.

Specific restrictions apply to routes from V.N. Purav Road, Trombay Chita Camp, C.G. Gidwani North Channel, and East Free Road North Channel.

Mumbai Police Traffic Advisory: Alternative routes suggested

Authorities have outlined alternate routes for vehicles. Those coming from Vashi can take a right from Southbound to Mankhurd Junction Bridge and enter Mumbai via Veer Jijabai Bhosale Road to IOC Junction and Chhedanagar Road. Vehicles from Trombay and the Freeway can use Chhedanagar Road, Amarmahal, Nehrunagar Bridge, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road to enter the city. Additional rerouting instructions have been provided for vehicles from V.N. Purav Marg, Deonar Farm Road, C.G. Gidwani North Channel, and East Free Road North Channel.

Manoj Jarange Mumbai Morcha Protest details

Jarange, 43, left his native Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district on August 26 and reached Shivneri Fort before proceeding to Mumbai. He has announced an indefinite fast at Azad Maidan from August 29. The protesters demand that all Marathas be recognised as Kunbis, an agrarian caste included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, making them eligible for reservation in government jobs and education.

Authorities expect more than 20,000 participants at the protest. Besides local police, one company each of the CRPF, RAF, CISF, and Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) are deployed at the venue and surrounding areas.

Over 1,500 police personnel have been deployed at Azad Maidan to maintain law and order. Security has also been increased at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), where protesters are arriving from Maharashtra’s hinterlands. Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satya Narayan inspected the arrangements on Thursday evening.

(With inputs from agencies)