Thane corporator Usha Wagh seeks action on illegal stalls and rickshaws in Ward 22 jams

Traffic congestion in Thane city is back in the spotlight at Diwali. Usha Vishal Wagh, corporator for Ward (Prabhag) No. 22 of the Thane Municipal Corporation, has demanded immediate action against unauthorised stalls, illegal parking, abandoned and defunct vehicles and unauthorised rickshaw stands in the ward. She has submitted a representation to the civic administration and the traffic police department.

In the representation, Wagh wrote that congestion is a constant problem in the Kharkar Road (as spelt in source: Kharton Road), Chendani Koliwada and Bazaarpeth areas of Ward 22. Buses of Thane Transport Service (TMT) and of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's transport service pass through the area. Rickshaws and taxis heading towards Bhiwandi, Kashele and Kalher also ply here in large numbers. In the evening especially, long queues of vehicles form on these roads, causing considerable hardship to residents.

Wagh alleged that rickshaw and taxi drivers on the Bhiwandi, Kashele and Kalher routes park as they please. Chendani Koliwada has space for barely two rickshaws, yet drivers form a third row there, which blocks traffic. She also said the traffic police have no control over such conduct.

The impact of the congestion is not limited to commuting. Residents are troubled by constant honking and exhaust fumes. Noise and air pollution are rising, and there is concern about the effect on people's health. Wagh said people with asthma or respiratory illness may suffer more in these conditions.

Crowds swell in Bazaarpeth and nearby areas during Diwali, so the congestion is likely to worsen. Wagh has therefore demanded that the civic administration and the traffic police act together. She wants unauthorised stalls removed, abandoned and defunct vehicles towed away, and action taken against illegal rickshaw stands to bring discipline to traffic.

Wagh said a copy of the representation has also been given to Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, MLA Sanjay Kelkar, Naupada-Kopri Prabhag Samiti chairperson Minal Sakhye and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsath.