Thane: Daily commuters on the Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel stretch via Godbunder Road have raised serious concerns over worsening traffic and extremely poor road conditions. This route, a key connector between Thane, Mira Road-Bhayandar, and Vasai-Virar, is now infamous for long delays and daily frustration.

The issue came into focus after X (formerly Twitter) user @VaruMehul shared a post with a screenshot from Google Maps showing traffic congestion and commented: “Daily traffic from Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel, very bad road conditions, wastage of time, money, fuel every day!”

The Gaimukh-Godbunder stretch is one of the busiest corridors in the region, serving as a crucial link between Thane and the western suburbs. Despite its importance, the area suffers from poor traffic management, resulting in massive delays and increasing fuel consumption, as highlighted by local commuters.

Authorities have acknowledged these concerns, with representatives from the traffic control department, Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate, Mumbai Police and the Thane City Police stating that steps are being taken to address the situation.

The post quickly caught the attention of authorities and was acknowledged by several departments. Thane City Police responded: “Thank you for contacting the Thane City Police. Your information has been forwarded to the Traffic Control Room, Thane, for necessary action.”

Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate replied: “Your information has been forwarded to the Senior Police Inspector, Kashimira Traffic Branch, for necessary action.”

The Mumbai Traffic Police further amplified the post by tagging @ThaneCityPolice, urging cross-jurisdictional coordination.

Following the death of Bhiwandi doctor Naseem Ansari in a pothole-related accident at Vanjarapatti Naka on the night of August 22, the Thane Traffic Department has implemented a new directive prohibiting the entry of heavy vehicles into the city.

Bhiwandi serves as a vital transit route for vehicles travelling between Gujarat and Mumbai. Owing to its strategic location, the city experiences a high volume of heavy vehicle traffic from both regions. Additionally, Bhiwandi is a major centre for powerloom and textile industries, housing numerous small-scale manufacturing units and warehouses, making it a key logistics hub adjacent to Mumbai.

Home to approximately 1.3 million residents, Bhiwandi also contains a dense concentration of offices, educational institutions, hospitals, banks, and schools. With around 4.5 lakh registered vehicles, including a significant number of heavy trucks, the city faces chronic traffic congestion and a high risk of road accidents.

For the convenience of passengers and with a view to meet the travel demand, especially during the festive season, Western Railway has extended the trips of Special Train on Special Fare between Bandra Terminus & Ajmer on existing timings, halts & composition.

Train No. 09622/09621 Bandra Terminus – Ajmer (Weekly) Special [18 Trips]

Train No. 09622 Bandra Terminus – Ajmer Special departs from Bandra Terminus every Monday at 09:35 hrs and reaches Ajmer at 08.50 hours the next day. The trips of this train have been extended from 06th October to 1st December, 2025. Similarly, Train No. 09621 Ajmer – Bandra Terminus Special departs from Ajmer every Sunday at 06.35 hrs and arrives at Bandra Terminus at 04.15 hours the next day. The trips of this train have been extended from 05th October to 30th November, 2025.

En route, this train will halt at Borivali, Vapi, Valsad, Surat, Vadodara, Ratlam, Vikramgarh Alot, Bhawani Mandi, Ramganj Mandi, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, and Kishangarh station in both directions.

This train comprises AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, AC 3-Tier (Economy), Sleeper Class, and General Second Class coaches.

The booking for the extended trips of Train No. 09622 will open from 04.09.2025 at all PRS Counters and on the IRCTC website. For detailed information regarding timings of halts and composition, passengers may please visit  www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in.

Mumbai: Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi has appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to declare an official holiday on September 8 for Eid Milad-un-Nabi, after the Muslim community decided to shift its main procession to that day.

Traditionally, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, which commemorates the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, is observed on September 5 this year, with processions taking place a day later on September 6. However, since Ganesh Visarjan is also scheduled for the same day, the All India Khilafat Committee, which organises the main procession in Byculla, postponed the event to September 8 to avoid logistical clashes and ensure smooth conduct of both festivals.

In a post on X, Azmi explained that the decision to reschedule the procession was taken in the interest of maintaining communal harmony and public order. “This year, Ganesh Visarjan is on September 6, which coincides with the Eid Milad procession. To strengthen Hindu-Muslim unity and to ensure peace, the Muslim community has decided to celebrate the procession on September 8. However, the government has not yet declared it as a public holiday. I request the Chief Minister to issue an official GR and announce September 8 as a holiday to respect the sentiments of the Muslim community,” Azmi wrote.

This year’s celebration carries added significance as it marks the 1,500th birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. Sarfaraz Arzu, chairman of the All India Khilafat Committee, said the decision was taken after careful deliberation. “For the third consecutive year, Eid-e-Milad and Ganesh immersions are falling on the same day. Like in previous years, we have decided to postpone the rally to avoid inconvenience. We hope the government recognises this and declares a holiday on September 8,” he said.

Along with Azmi, Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh has also written to Chief Minister Fadnavis urging for a government holiday on the day. Similar requests have been sent to Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.