MUMBAI: Fed up with the traffic restrictions near the Taj hotel in Colaba, more than 400 families and 50 shopkeepers will take out a rally to Azad Maidan on Tuesday to protest against the "forcible takeover of public roads".
Two roads in the vicinity have been blocked since US President Barack Obama's visit to the city, and that reportedly has been creating massive traffic jams and affecting business for shopkeepers around.
The residents as well as shop owners claimed that Taj was taking advantage of the barricaded roads, especially the stretch behind the hotel, by using the place as their parking lot. Despite several attempts, the spokesperson for Taj hotel remained unavailable.
"Only Taj seems to be gaining from the arrangement, citing security as a reason for the barricade. They have taken over stretches and are using it as a parking space. Only visitors to Taj are allowed on the roads. This monopoly is unfair. Business has been affected badly," said Asif Tanki of Mahad Joo & Sons, in Colaba. And according to him, it is the guards posted around Taj who are dictating terms, not the police. "If the need be, we will move the high court and ask for equal treatment to all,"
he said.
Kishore Jagtiani, from 3rd Pasta Lane, has a different complaint. 'The road blocks cause major traffic jams in the area," he said.
Preeti Bedi, owner of Mitter Bedi showroom, said the authorities should come up with a master plan if there was a security threat. "Even during non-VVIP movement, the barricade is not removed. Every day, I have to ask if the Taj security guards would allow me to take my cab till a certain point. Is my country at war that I have to do this? Even Kasab is more free than us," said Bedi.
Local corporator Vinod Shekhar will lead the protest rally. "We want to tell the authorities about the hardship that people staying around Taj hotel is going through," he said
Two roads in the vicinity have been blocked since US President Barack Obama's visit to the city, and that reportedly has been creating massive traffic jams and affecting business for shopkeepers around.
The residents as well as shop owners claimed that Taj was taking advantage of the barricaded roads, especially the stretch behind the hotel, by using the place as their parking lot. Despite several attempts, the spokesperson for Taj hotel remained unavailable.
"Only Taj seems to be gaining from the arrangement, citing security as a reason for the barricade. They have taken over stretches and are using it as a parking space. Only visitors to Taj are allowed on the roads. This monopoly is unfair. Business has been affected badly," said Asif Tanki of Mahad Joo & Sons, in Colaba. And according to him, it is the guards posted around Taj who are dictating terms, not the police. "If the need be, we will move the high court and ask for equal treatment to all,"
he said.
Kishore Jagtiani, from 3rd Pasta Lane, has a different complaint. 'The road blocks cause major traffic jams in the area," he said.
Preeti Bedi, owner of Mitter Bedi showroom, said the authorities should come up with a master plan if there was a security threat. "Even during non-VVIP movement, the barricade is not removed. Every day, I have to ask if the Taj security guards would allow me to take my cab till a certain point. Is my country at war that I have to do this? Even Kasab is more free than us," said Bedi.
Local corporator Vinod Shekhar will lead the protest rally. "We want to tell the authorities about the hardship that people staying around Taj hotel is going through," he said
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