More than five lakh Marathas will be gathering at Mumbai's Azad Maidan for the 58th Maratha Kranti Morcha or "Muka Morcha" (silent march) to ask for reservations for the community. The silent March will start at 11 am and end at 5 pm.

Mumbaikars are expected to face massive traffic jams as lakhs of people from across Maharashtra are expected to attend the protest march, seeking reservations in jobs and education for the Maratha community.

People have started to gather at BMC's Jijamata Udyan in Mumbai's Byculla from where the rally will begin and go on to Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. The protesters are expected to disperse around 5pm.

The JJ flyover will be closed for traffic in view of the morcha, police said.
Schools in south Mumbai are closed as a precautionary measure, an official said.

The BMC has razed a railing of Azad Maidan to create a wider entrance for protesters and merge the venue with the Bombay Gymkhana ground so that more people can be accommodated.

Mobile toilets, drinking water facilities and medical camps have been set up along the rally route -- Byculla zoo to Azad Maidan.

JJ Hospital will deploy three ambulances in the island city. An entire ward with 25 beds has been kept on standby at the state-run hospital. The BMC's disaster cell management has also asked private hospitals to remain ready for emergencies.

The morcha is expected to take a toll on the city, especially the traffic and the public transport system, as the protesters who are camping at APMC in Navi Mumbai and Anand Nagar in Thane, will take buses and trains to reach the island city.  -- Agencies


Image: Vehicles at a standstill at the Eastern Express Highway near Thane.