Mass Protests Dubbed as Maratha Andolan Cause Gridlock in Mumbai, Affecting Road, Bus, and Train Transportation
In the heart of Mumbai, the ongoing Maratha Andolan protests have caused a significant disruption to the city's public transport system. Hundreds of commuters found themselves stranded, as hundreds of bus routes were curtailed, diverted, or cancelled.
According to a senior BEST officer, the police blocking several roads due to heavy rush forced them to divert or curtail bus routes. This unexpected change left many commuters in a state of uncertainty, with routes 5, 15, 82, and 126 being cut short at Ambedkar Statue, and buses 138 and 131 being diverted via Electric Bhavan, NCPA, NS Road, and Kilachand Chowk. Routes 138 and 139 shifted to Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, while routes 103 and 124 were diverted via MG Road, along with 66, 69, 126, and 28. Bus A-21 was curtailed at Crawford Market, and AC-53 was terminated at Hiranandani. Other routes including 2, 3, 10, 11, 124, and 125 were redirected via LT Road.
The chaos was not limited to the buses. Large groups of protestors rushed inside trains, blocking doors and causing serious inconvenience to passengers. At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), the crowd of protestors was so dense that it was nearly impossible for Ramakant Jain (50), a commuter from Ghatkopar, to walk. Another passenger, Somesh Shetty (44) from Matunga, added that at some stations, the crowd was so dense that finding walking space was a challenge.
Several arterial roads were affected, including Madam Cama Road, Jagannath Bhosale Marg, LT Marg, Mahapalika Marg, DN Road, and JJ Bridge. With protests intensifying, authorities remain on alert for further disruptions on working days. The uncertainty for coming days raises concerns among daily commuters about Monday's services.
The Maratha Andolan has highlighted the urgent need for improved crowd management and seamless coordination between civic agencies, police, and transport operators. The Shivba Sanghatana, founded by Manoj Jarange Patil, is actively involved in coordinating with the Mumbai police and traffic authorities to improve the traffic situation during the protests.
Authorities imposed closures and diversions on these roads, paralyzing bus operations and causing major traffic snarls. The agitation has disrupted public transport, forcing many commuters to walk long distances due to the absence of prior communication and real-time updates from transport authorities.
As the protests continue, authorities and transport operators are working to restore normal services as soon as possible. However, with the protests showing no signs of abating, commuters can expect continued disruptions in the coming days.
