Mumbai: The Mantralaya in Mumbai's Nariman Point, the nerve centre of Maharashtra’s administration, was turned into a fortress on Monday as the Maratha quota agitation led by Manoj Jarange-Patil entered its fourth day. With thousands of protestors camping in South Mumbai, security forces erected three-tier barricades around the state secretariat, while policemen stood guard at every entry point.
Police security has been beefed up outside the Maharashtra Mantralaya with personnel from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) deployed in the area. Since large-scale Maratha agitation has been taking place in the Marine Drive area, security has also been heightened outside the residences of ministers near the Mantralaya.
Authorities have also issued traffic advisories to avoid disruption on Monday as office-goers return to work. Police have urged citizens to avoid CSMT Junction and surrounding areas unless absolutely necessary.
Traffic diversions have also been put in place:
Traffic on J.J. Road will be diverted from MRA Marg Police Station towards Metro Cinema Junction via the Police Commissioner’s office.
Traffic from the Eastern Freeway may also be diverted towards J.J. Road depending on the situation, with police issuing necessary instructions accordingly.
Northbound traffic on D.N. Road will be diverted towards Metro Cinema via Fashion Street.
Police have appealed to commuters to cooperate with the diversions to ensure smooth movement and minimize inconvenience.
Roads Around Mantralaya Closed For Traffic
Vehicular movement near Mantralaya was brought to a halt as police sealed off Madame Cama Road from both ends. Free Press Journal Marg, which connects Vidhan Bhavan to Mantralaya, was closed, while traffic on General Jagannath Bhosle Road leading to YB Chavan Centre was also suspended. The measures were put in place to prevent protestors from storming the secretariat premises as Jarange’s agitation continued to gather steam.
Meanwhile, BEST has diverted several bus routes since early morning to ease congestion. Services on Jagannath Bhosale Marg, D N Road, and Mahapalika Marg have been rerouted through alternative junctions like Sant Sewalal Chowk, Rambhau Salaskar Marg, and M.G. Road.
Jarange's Warning To Maharashtra Govt
Jarange-Patil, who has been spearheading the demand for Marathas to be granted Other Backward Class (OBC) status, had earlier warned the government not to insult the community’s pride. In a fiery statement on Sunday, he said, “If a solution is not reached this week, by next weekend no Maratha will be seen at home. It will be impossible to walk even 100–200 meters in Mumbai.” His words signalled an intensification of the protest, forcing authorities to extend permission for the demonstration at Azad Maidan by another day.
Traffic Woes Surge In South Mumbai
Since Friday, the agitation has crippled South Mumbai’s traffic network. Protestors have not only occupied Azad Maidan but also spilled over onto roads near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters. Vehicles ferrying protestors to the city remain parked across arterial roads, choking commuter movement. Police estimate that nearly 25,000 protestors are now stationed in and around the agitation site.
To maintain order, Mumbai Police has deployed 2,000 personnel in the area, supported by 450 traffic officers. Rapid Intervention Vehicles (RIVs) have also been stationed near Azad Maidan and the Commissioner’s office. Central Railway has readied special arrangements to manage Monday’s rush at CSMT, which is being used as a camp by protestors.
