Thane Traffic Fury: Avinash Jadhav Warns ‘Will Smash Trucks Before 12 AM’, MNS Gears Up for Protest

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has sharpened its criticism of the state administration over Thane’s chronic traffic congestion and the continued illegal movement of heavy vehicles during daytime hours. On September 20, the party will stage a ‘Traffic March Morcha’ outside the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), led by senior MNS leader Avinash Jadhav, Loksatta reported.

The agitation follows Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s recent order that heavy vehicles must ply on Ghodbunder Road only after midnight. Despite this directive, trucks continue to be spotted during the day, fueling public anger and prompting the MNS to escalate its protest.

Speaking to the media, Jadhav issued a stern warning: “If these trucks are seen on the road before 12 AM, MNS workers will smash them.”

He also slammed the authorities for failing to enforce Shinde’s instructions.

“If you are not going to follow the orders of the Deputy Chief Minister, whose orders will you follow? Is the government running the administration or are political leaders running it? The Transport Minister had given similar orders earlier, but heavy vehicles continued to move freely. Even after the Deputy Chief Minister’s instructions, the situation is unchanged. One or two officers should be suspended for failing to act,” Jadhav said.

Describing the upcoming march as a “cry of the common man”, Jadhav added: “Our march will not bring an immediate revolution, but it will echo the voice of ordinary citizens. Raj Thackeray has given me a voice, and I will go before Thanekars as his voice. Sooner or later, I will get the people of Thane out of this traffic mess.”

Meanwhile, Thane Traffic Police have increased surveillance through CCTV monitoring, but Jadhav dismissed it as ineffective.

“There is no monitoring through CCTV, only recovery. This system is being used to collect fines rather than enforce discipline. Heavy vehicles routinely block lanes and create gridlocks, but no action is taken against them. Why are rules not applied to them? Why should citizens alone be forced to follow rules when the government itself does not?” he asked.