KALYAN: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Sunday staged a public protest at Shilphata Junction against the daily traffic congestion on the Kalyan–Shilphata road. The protest was organised by the party’s Dombivli city unit and led by MNS leader Raju Patil, who sharply criticised the traffic department and the agencies concerned.
Patil said the party would no longer stop at issuing warnings and would take to the streets if the problem is not resolved.
What’s Behind the Daily Gridlock
According to the MNS, ongoing Metro construction, road works at several stretches, limited road capacity and rising heavy-vehicle traffic have together turned the Kalyan–Shilphata road into a daily bottleneck. Office-goers, students, women, senior citizens and emergency services are the worst affected, the party said.
‘Shilphata Has Become the Strait of Hormuz’
Comparing the road to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow and congested sea route, Patil said vehicles were barely able to move on it. He held the traffic department responsible for the situation.
He questioned how the traffic department gives permission for road works that will take years to complete, when the land required for these roads has not even been acquired.
Phased Entry for Heavy Vehicles Suggested
Patil said some solutions were within the administration’s control. Allowing heavy vehicles on the road only at fixed times and in phases could ease the congestion considerably, he said.
He warned, however, that MNS workers would smash heavy vehicles released onto the road at the wrong hours.
Three-Day Deadline for Toll Operator
Patil also blamed poor coordination between agencies for the traffic chaos and criticised the toll administration. Toll is being collected but roads are not repaired on time, he said, warning that the party would smash the toll plaza if repairs were not carried out within three days.