In a strong demonstration against the recent hike in State Transport (ST) fares, the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction staged a sit-in protest at the Vithalwadi bus depot on Tuesday. The protest, led by Kalyan district chief Dhananjay Bodare, saw a large turnout of party office bearers and activists who gathered to voice their opposition to the fare increase.

The hike in ST fares has sent shockwaves through the state, significantly impacting the daily commuters, especially the common man who relies heavily on public transport for their livelihoods. “ST is the lifeline of the common people, and this fare hike is crushing the very people who depend on it. If we stay silent now, this loot will never stop,” said Bodare while addressing the gathering.

The protestors stationed themselves at the gate of the Vithalwadi bus depot, effectively halting the buses departing for various routes. Chanting slogans and holding placards, the protesters expressed their fury against the state government’s decision to increase fares. They demanded an immediate rollback of the hike, arguing that the increase would further burden the already struggling masses.

The sit-in caused a major disruption, with buses being held up and the gates of the depot blocked. Within minutes, local police from Kolswadi arrived at the scene and detained several protestors. Despite the police action, the protest remained peaceful, with the activists continuing to demand justice for the citizens affected by the fare rise.

The protest, which saw overwhelming participation from Shiv Sena (UBT) supporters, highlighted the growing unrest over rising public transport costs in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has vowed to continue their fight against the fare hike, with further protests planned in the coming days.