Mumbai wakes up to yet another day of uncertainty as the Maratha quota protest rolls into the new week. Monday, September 1, is expected to be rough for commuters, with traffic curbs, blocked roads, and stretched public transport networks threatening to turn the city’s morning rush into an all-day grind.
Maratha Quota Protest
If you’re heading into South Mumbai, brace yourself! According to Mid Day, the traffic police have drawn red lines across at least 15 key arteries from CSMT, JJ Bridge, Mahapalika Marg, DN Road, Madam Cama Road to MG Road. Add to that choke points like the JJ flyover, Crawford Market, and the Gateway of India stretch, and you have a recipe for chaos.
The advice from officials is blunt: avoid these corridors altogether. Instead, lean on the Eastern Freeway, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and Western Express Highway, which remain open and are expected to serve as lifelines through the day.
BEST buses aren’t escaping the squeeze either. More than 60 routes will be curtailed, diverted, or even suspended depending on ground conditions. BEST has asked passengers to stay glued to its social media handles for route-by-route updates before stepping out.
With the bus network shaky and major roads barricaded, the city’s Metro corridors are likely to be bursting at the seams. Blue Line 1, Yellow and Red Lines 2A/7, and Aqua Line 3 will all bear the brunt as office-goers ditch road travel and turn to trains on tracks.
On the suburban rail front, officials from both Central and Western Railways insist services will stick to the timetable. But the crowds? You can expect them to swell at Dadar, Byculla, Thane, and Panvel in this Maratha quota protest. To keep order, 240 additional RPF personnel and 94 Maharashtra Security Force staff have been stationed at CSMT, backed by operating and commercial teams on alert.
Buses Diverted, Metro Crowded
The fallout is already visible. Reports from Mankhurd and Panjrapole suggest near-total gridlock leading onto the Eastern Freeway. Offices have downed shutters, ambulances are struggling to cut through, and passengers bound for the airport are stuck in jams. For many, the only solution is to leave home painfully early.
The education sector is split in this Maratha quota protest. Many schools are anyway shut for Ganesh Chaturthi, but those open on Monday are relying on police guidance for safe bus routes. Some South Mumbai institutions like JB Petit, Cathedral and John Connon, and Campion have shifted to online classes. Colleges in Fort, including KC and HR, however, will stick to offline lectures.
If you’re caught out, dial the Government Railway Police helplines at 1512 / 1800 22 1512, or reach them on 95948 99991 / 84250 99991.
Cover Image Courtesy: ashish_raje/X
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