Rallies add to traffic mess

Anti-corruption rallies, held across the city by supporters of Anna Hazare and the Jan Lokpal bill, are causing serious concern to the traffic police, as the organisers are not giving any prior intimation to them.

Anti-corruption rallies, held across the city by supporters of Anna Hazare and the Jan Lokpal bill, are causing serious concern to the traffic police, as the organisers are not giving any prior intimation to them.

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Thursday's rally at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) blocked all four south-bound lanes from Kurla towards Bandra.

"We had to send our staff at the last moment to manage the traffic at such busy intersections," said a senior traffic police official, adding, "At Azad Maidan we are keeping entire Mahanagar Palika Road blocked from 11.30am to 5pm and diverting traffic on MG Road and DN Road." Meanwhile, Vakola traffic police incharge, Pradeep Temkar, said, "Permission was not taken from us neither the organisers informed us about the rally."

Nandakumar Chaugule, deputy commissioner of police, traffic, asked organiser to inform them 48 hours before the protests, so that traffic can be diverted on the rally routes. "We will give permission within 24 hours."

Rahul Korgaonkar, IAC volunteer, said: "We usually inform them 12 hours in advance. But we intimated them four hours before Thursday's rally due to lack of manpower."