Amit Shah’s Lalbaugcha Raja Visit Amid Maratha Quota Stir Triggers Traffic Chaos in Mumbai

Mumbai witnessed a day of compounded traffic woes on Friday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to the city coincided with the ongoing Maratha quota agitation led by Manoj Jarange Patil. While Shah’s annual Ganesh festival itinerary includes darshan at the famous Lalbaugcha Raja and visits to a few select locations, the movement of his Z+ security convoy added to the congestion across the metropolis.

Shah, who visits Mumbai each year during Ganesh Chaturthi, was slated to arrive in the evening. His schedule traditionally involves seeking blessings at Lalbaugcha Raja, visiting state minister Ashish Shelar’s residence in Bandra, and making a few other stops. With his high-level security detail comprising a long convoy of vehicles, jammer units, armed commandos, and reinforced local police deployment, traffic restrictions were put in place well before his arrival.

Police Restrictions Trigger Gridlocks

Despite Shah’s flight being scheduled only in the evening, Mumbai Police initiated traffic restrictions by the afternoon. Sound-bound traffic on the coastal road was regulated, and vehicles heading towards south Mumbai were rerouted. Authorities temporarily blocked sections of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link for the smooth passage of the convoy.

Commuters faced major inconveniences, particularly those traveling between Bandra, Worli, and Nariman Point. Motorists were redirected through alternative routes including Haji Ali, Warden Road, and Breach Candy before rejoining the coastal road.

Deepak Sahu, a private driver, narrated his ordeal: “It took me an extra hour to reach Nariman Point from BKC because of the diversions. The traffic police kept sending us in circles.”

Citizens Express Frustration Over VIP Culture

The situation sparked strong criticism among daily commuters already battling disruptions caused by the Maratha quota protests. Several motorists voiced frustration over what they termed as unnecessary inconveniences created for ordinary citizens.

“It is high time we put an end to VIP culture,” remarked Chandra Sankar, another motorist stranded in traffic. “Every year, whenever a top politician visits, common people suffer for hours. Why should thousands of us pay the price for one convoy?”

With the Maratha quota agitation already straining Mumbai’s road network, Shah’s security measures compounded the disruption. The cascading effect of protest blockades and subsequent traffic restrictions highlighted the city’s vulnerability to administrative overreach during high-profile visits.

Maratha Quota Agitation Adds To The Strain

Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil’s agitation for reservation has already been causing significant bottlenecks across Maharashtra. Processions, sit-ins, and traffic stoppages have disrupted both intercity and intra-city travel. Mumbai, as the state’s economic hub, has been particularly affected.

Friday’s overlap between the agitation and Shah’s itinerary underscored the challenges faced by the administration in balancing law-and-order priorities with routine public life. While security arrangements are deemed critical for VIP protection, critics argue that better planning and coordination could minimize hardships for the public.

Annual Tradition of Amit Shah’s Ganesh Visits

For Shah, the Lalbaugcha Raja visit has become a spiritual and political tradition. The iconic Ganpati pandal, regarded as one of Mumbai’s most popular, draws lakhs of devotees each year. Shah’s presence not only underscores the BJP’s connect with Mumbai’s cultural heartbeat but also sends a message of solidarity with the city’s traditions.

His visit to Ashish Shelar’s Bandra residence has also been a consistent feature, marking camaraderie with the Maharashtra BJP leadership. However, in light of growing criticism about VIP movements, political analysts suggest the party may need to rethink the optics of such heavily guarded convoys during times of public distress.

Balancing Security and Public Interest

While authorities maintain that Z+ protectees like the Union Home Minister require airtight security, public outrage continues to grow over repeated traffic snarls caused by VIP movement. With citizens demanding reforms to ease disruptions, the debate around VIP culture is only intensifying.

As Mumbai prepares for an eleven-day Ganesh festival, both civic authorities and police face the challenge of managing massive footfall at pandals while ensuring minimal disruption from VIP visits. Shah’s darshan at Lalbaugcha Raja will remain a highlight of the celebrations, but for the city’s residents, the pressing concern is whether their daily commute will remain hostage to security protocols.