Maratha Quota War: Maharashtra Bandh, Security Beefed Up

The day-long shutdown called by a Maratha group demanding reservation in government jobs and education was peaceful on Thursday as buses and trains plied on time with heavy police deployment in Mumbai and its suburbs, officials said. Navi Mumbai, which has been exempted from the shutdown, was peaceful as autorickshaws were seen on roads and most shops opened under police watch. There was no effect of the shutdown in Panvel as well. Western Railway officials said the suburban trains on all the four corridors in Mumbai were running on time. Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST) officials also said its buses were on roads and that there were no diversions in the routes followed. Taxi and auto rickshaw unions said most drivers have brought their vehicles on the roads but some are cautious. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has, however, kept its intercity route buses off roads fearing vandalism as during the Maratha agitation.