Dozens of Shiv Sena workers halted traffic on the Eastern Express Highway for four hours yesterday, ahead of the party's rally at DMC ground, Dombivli (E).
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was to address the rally at 5 pm, but his party workers began blocking traffic on the highway from 4 pm to give his convoy unobstructed passage. In the process, they sparked huge jams that forced many people using public transport to abandon their taxis and buses and resort to walking to their destinations or the nearest train station. Uddhav, who was to address the rally at 5 pm, only arrived at 7.45 pm.
Adding to the problem were supporters of NCP leader Supriya Sule, daughter of party chief Sharad Pawar, who thronged Katai naka ahead of a haldi kukum programme she attended at Dombivili (E).
Manoj Jagtap, a resident of Dombivli, said, "I was stuck near Shilphata for more than an hour. Ahuge mob had assembled on the road, causing a massive traffic jam and chaos in the area. I was supposed to reach CST for my friend's birthday at 6.30 pm but remained stuck in traffic for over an hour. Eventually we had to get off the road and take a train to CST."
For Pravin Seth, reaching the nearest station, Thane, proved a nightmare. "I was cursing myself for deciding to go to Dombivli today. Due to the mega block, trains where already running very late. Once I reached Dombivli, it was horrible. No autorickshaw driver was ready to travel within Dombivli, fearing he would get stuck in the jam. I had to literally bribe an autowala Rs 50 to take me to my destination. I ended up stuck in traffic for an hour."
"Why do they have disturb the peace? It was horrible to travel by road today. Wish we had no plans. At least they should have made sure that all their workers were at the ground and not on the roads, welcoming him. This is a residential area. Rallies should be banned here," added a furious Jagtap. Another commuter, who was heading towards Sion, said, "A group of students returning from a function were stuck in traffic for more than three hours. It was really a nightmare today."
This is not the first time a Shiv Sena rally has sparked traffic chaos. A rally organised by the party at the Somaiya ground in last month disrupted traffic across the eastern suburbs for 12 hours.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was to address the rally at 5 pm, but his party workers began blocking traffic on the highway from 4 pm to give his convoy unobstructed passage. In the process, they sparked huge jams that forced many people using public transport to abandon their taxis and buses and resort to walking to their destinations or the nearest train station. Uddhav, who was to address the rally at 5 pm, only arrived at 7.45 pm.
Adding to the problem were supporters of NCP leader Supriya Sule, daughter of party chief Sharad Pawar, who thronged Katai naka ahead of a haldi kukum programme she attended at Dombivili (E).
Manoj Jagtap, a resident of Dombivli, said, "I was stuck near Shilphata for more than an hour. Ahuge mob had assembled on the road, causing a massive traffic jam and chaos in the area. I was supposed to reach CST for my friend's birthday at 6.30 pm but remained stuck in traffic for over an hour. Eventually we had to get off the road and take a train to CST."
For Pravin Seth, reaching the nearest station, Thane, proved a nightmare. "I was cursing myself for deciding to go to Dombivli today. Due to the mega block, trains where already running very late. Once I reached Dombivli, it was horrible. No autorickshaw driver was ready to travel within Dombivli, fearing he would get stuck in the jam. I had to literally bribe an autowala Rs 50 to take me to my destination. I ended up stuck in traffic for an hour."
"Why do they have disturb the peace? It was horrible to travel by road today. Wish we had no plans. At least they should have made sure that all their workers were at the ground and not on the roads, welcoming him. This is a residential area. Rallies should be banned here," added a furious Jagtap. Another commuter, who was heading towards Sion, said, "A group of students returning from a function were stuck in traffic for more than three hours. It was really a nightmare today."
This is not the first time a Shiv Sena rally has sparked traffic chaos. A rally organised by the party at the Somaiya ground in last month disrupted traffic across the eastern suburbs for 12 hours.
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