Maratha March: Traffic snarls in Mumbai

New Delhi: Mumbai traffic is facing a hard time while the city hosts the biggest rally of its lifetime. Lakhs of people of the Maratha groups across the state  have already assembled together to be a part of the much anticipated mammoth march, the 'Maratha Mook (silent)  March'. This however has added up to the woes of daily commuters.  The massive gathering has affected the traffic of the metro city leading to jams at several places. With traffic snarled up at different places, all the claims of the Maratha Kranti Morcha organisers , that the rally won't disrupt Mumbai's traffic, seems to fizzle out.

                          (Maratha society staging demonstration before the start of the march)

  The March that reportedly began at 11 AM on Wednesday, has caused to lower the pace of the fast-moving city. Traffic may remain affected for a long time as it is a daylong event, beginning from Jijamata Udayan at 11am and terminating at Azad Maidan near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 5 pm. The Mumbai Traffic police had beforehand issued a traffic guideline for this day. Commuters had been warned of the closed roads. The traffic department issued a list roads that will be closed for the procession and also suggested alternative routes that will remain open for the commuters. However, the police has reportedly advised people to avoid commuting on Wednesday unless it is urgent. As per reports, the Mumbai Police said that traffic will be diverted from the two most important routes of South Mumbai Sir JJ Road, Mohammed Ali Road and the JJ Flyover up to CST and the Hazarimal Somani Marg. The Marathas had started trooping into Mumbai since early Tuesday from all over Maharashtra to take part in the morcha, 58th in the series of processions being held in different parts of the state since August 9, 2016. They have been reaching the state capital by trains, private vehicles, trucks, tempos and even two-wheelers, while waving Maratha flags and sporting bright orange turbans. The silent rally which is expected to be a peaceful affair will reportedly witness a participation of 500,000-800,000 Marathas from across the state. The organisers believe that the figure can escalate up to three millions. The main purpose of the march is to press the demand of reservation for Marathas in jobs, among many others.