Kalyan: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a protest at Shilphata Junction on October 11 against persistent traffic congestion on the Kalyan-Shilphata road. MNS leader Raju Patil criticised the administration and warned of intensified agitation if the problem remained unresolved.

Addressing the protest, Patil said, “The road’s condition had become comparable to the ‘Strait of Hormuz’, making vehicle movement increasingly difficult.” He blamed the transport department and questioned why road and metro works were being undertaken without adequate planning, particularly when land acquisition for road expansion remained incomplete.

The MNS attributed the daily traffic snarls to ongoing metro construction, road repair work, inadequate road capacity and the growing movement of heavy vehicles. The congestion has been affecting commuters, including office-goers, students, women, senior citizens and emergency services.

Patil suggested regulating heavy vehicle movement through designated time slots and phased entry to ease congestion. However, issuing a stern warning, he said, “We will smash cars if heavy vehicles are left unattended.”

He also criticised the toll administration for collecting tolls without ensuring timely road repairs. Warning the authorities to repair the roads within three days, Patil said, “We will smash toll booths if roads are not repaired.”

The protest was attended by MNS Dombivli city president Harshad Patil, district secretary Arun Jambhale, party workers, women’s wing members and residents. Representatives of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and 27 Village Sangharsh Samiti also participated.

The MNS demanded a permanent solution to the traffic problem, better coordination among government agencies and systematic regulation of heavy vehicles. Party leaders warned that the agitation would be intensified if the administration failed to address commuters’ daily hardships.

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MNS staged a protest at Shilphata Junction over daily traffic congestion on the Kalyan-Shilphata road.

Raju Patil blamed poor planning, metro work, road repairs and heavy vehicle movement for traffic snarls.

He warned, “We will smash cars if heavy vehicles are left unattended.”

MNS demanded better traffic management, regulated heavy vehicle movement and coordination among government agencies.

The party warned of intensified agitation if commuters’ problems remain unresolved.