• Source:JND
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Mumbai Maratha Quota Protest: Mumbai witnessed the second day of the Maratha Morcha protest on Saturday, with large gatherings in the city centre causing major traffic issues and drawing heavy police deployment. The agitation, led by activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, has intensified as the demand for 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community in education and jobs continues to mount.

Mumbai Maratha Quota Protest: Road Blocked Outside CSMT

Since morning, protesters occupied key roads near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and gathered in large numbers at Azad Maidan, where Jarange-Patil is on an indefinite hunger strike. He has declared that he will not withdraw until the state government takes a concrete step towards meeting the community’s long-pending demand for reservation.

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The demonstration has caused serious traffic disruptions. Vehicles were stuck outside CSMT for over half an hour and several BEST buses remained stranded for nearly two hours. Protesters allowed only an ambulance to pass, while many of their own vehicles were parked along the roads. Some groups were also seen cooking food and bathing on the roadside using water tankers.

Mumbai Maratha Quota Protest: Heavy Traffic On Sion-Panvel Highway

Commuters faced heavy congestion on the Sion-Panvel Highway, especially near the Vashi toll plaza, where long queues of vehicles were reported. Authorities diverted heavy vehicles towards Navi Mumbai to ease the situation. According to the BEST administration, at least 24 bus routes in south Mumbai were affected. Central Railway officials stated that suburban train services were mostly on schedule, with minor delays.

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Heavy Security Deployed

To maintain order, the government deployed personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF). Inside CSMT, officials from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) were also seen controlling crowds.

Despite heavy rains and the inconvenience caused to daily commuters, the protest witnessed a strong turnout, with participants arriving from villages across Maharashtra. Protesters also raised demands for basic amenities such as toilets, drinking water and shelter during the sit-in.

Mumbai Police Issues Traffic Advisory

The Mumbai Traffic Police issued an advisory urging motorists to avoid routes leading to CSMT, Azad Maidan and the Eastern Freeway, suggesting alternate routes instead.