The protesters, mostly from Beed, Parbhani and Hingoli districts of Maharashtra, also gathered at Marine Drive in a show of strength. (Express Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)Several roads across south and central Mumbai were jammed on Friday as thousands of protesters poured into the city to support Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil, who began a hunger strike at Azad Maidan to demand reservation for his community.Commuters across the city, especially those trying to reach offices in south Mumbai, faced severe delays. Since 4 am, roads leading to Azad Maidan were blocked by supporters, a traffic police official said. Major traffic snarls were also reported outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and in areas such as Worli (western line) and Byculla (central Mumbai).“Around 10,000 supporters have spread across south Mumbai between CST, Marine Lines and Churchgate. They are roaming in groups of 50 and 100 and have been blocking traffic at each and every junction,” a traffic police personnel said.In South Mumbai, protesters blocked traffic near the Air India building signal at Marine Drive. According to local and traffic police, despite repeated requests, many supporters walked down the centre of the road to demonstrate their strength.The protesters, mostly from Beed, Parbhani and Hingoli districts of Maharashtra, also gathered at Marine Drive in a show of strength. “We cannot use force to control them as there is no order, so other than requesting them, we do not have any option,” a senior officer said.The entire stretch from P D’Mello Road in South Mumbai to Vashi Naka Bridge was also congested, with protesters seen chanting slogans and dancing on the streets. Vehicular movement from Vashi, Trombay, Deonar, Cheeta Camp, and nearby areas into South Mumbai was heavily affected.“Extra police force has been deployed to clear the jam, but commuters have been facing problems,” a traffic police officer admitted.Story continues below this adDue to the rain, many took shelter inside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), causing further inconvenience to rail passengers.“Around 2,000 traffic police are on the road and managing traffic. In the morning, there was traffic in South Mumbai, but now the police are requesting Jarange’s supporters. Traffic is a little smooth in South Mumbai,” Anil Kumbhare, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, said. The Navi Mumbai-bound freeway is clear with vehicles moving smoothly, he added.A senior IPS officer alleged that the permission to protest was given at the wrong time. “It is creating huge difficulties for Mumbai citizens. The traffic advisory should have been issued a week ago. Awareness should have been spread that people should not move on the day of the rally,” the officer added.“The supporters have come with the mindset to stay a week and have been carrying enough rations and food to survive here. The rations and food packets are clearly seen in their vehicles,” a traffic police personnel said.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Maratha quota