MNS holds protest at Kalyan Phata over Kalyan-Shil Road jams, Raju Patil warns of stronger action

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken an aggressive stand over worsening traffic jams on Kalyan-Shil Road. A public protest led by the MNS was held at Kalyan Phata today on the issue. A large number of ordinary citizens also turned up.

Office-bearers and workers of the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Samajwadi Party were present along with the MNS. MNS Dombivli city president Harshad Patil, Nationalist Congress Party office-bearers Bhau Patil, Satyawan Mhatre and Arun Jambhule, district president Rahul Kamat and other office-bearers and workers took part in the protest.

Heavy vehicles cause large-scale traffic jams on Kalyan-Shil Road. Commuters, students and drivers who use the road daily are the worst affected. The MNS has now taken to the streets over this problem.

The MNS has also made a serious allegation against officials of the traffic department. It says some officials of the department let heavy vehicles through in return for money. MNS leader Raju Patil claimed he has video evidence of this. He said police officials of the traffic department take money and that he has proof of it. The allegations have not been officially confirmed so far, but Patil's claim has set off discussion everywhere.

Some days ago, the MNS had also carried out a seven-day agitation. It was said that 64 vehicles were vandalised during that period. The jam problem eased for some time afterwards, but the MNS claims the situation is now back to what it was. People are therefore facing the same hardship once again.

Raju Patil has reportedly warned that if the jam problem is not resolved for good, vehicles and toll plazas will be vandalised in future. He also said today's protest is only a warning. If the problem is not resolved, the MNS's next step will be even more aggressive.

Citizens are now waiting to see what steps the administration and the traffic department take to end the jams on Kalyan-Shil Road.