Maratha quota protest: Mumbai on edge; traffic chokes CSMT, buses stuck for hours

NEW DELHI: Mumbai Traffic Police has issued an advisory and ordered road closures across the city ahead of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s indefinite hunger strike scheduled at Azad Maidan on Friday.Jarange, who began his march from his village in Jalna district on Wednesday, reached Mumbai on Friday morning accompanied by hundreds of vehicles. He has called for the protest to press for Maratha community reservation.Commuters Advised To Avoid CST, Eastern Freeway

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Mumbai Police urged citizens to avoid routes leading to CST and its surrounding areas due to anticipated congestion. Motorists were specifically advised to avoid the Eastern Freeway and plan alternate routes.“Due to political agitation, people are requested to avoid going towards CST and its surrounding area. Due to agitation at Azad Maidan, avoid using Freeway. Please plan accordingly,” the traffic advisory read."Due to agitation at Azad Maidan avoid using free way please plan accordingly," another traffic advisory read.

According to the traffic police, the following roads will remain closed for all vehicular movement except emergency services starting 6 am Friday until further orders:

An official said the order was issued by the additional commissioner of police (Traffic) on Thursday evening.(With inputs from agencies)