The Ambernath-Katai Road traffic jam between Anand Nagar and the T-junction has stretched vehicle queues up to the Anand Nagar petrol pump, leaving industrial workers, office commuters and public transport users stuck for up to 90 minutes during the evening peak, according to a report by Loksatta – Thane published on October 2.
The disruption was reported again on Wednesday evening, when traffic congestion intensified after 6 pm and continued late into the night. The report said that traffic police were not present during the congestion, allowing some motorists to drive on the wrong side of the road. This caused both lanes to become blocked instead of allowing traffic to clear.
The affected stretch lies on the heavily used Badlapur-Katai route and connects commuters with the Anand Nagar industrial area. The corridor carries a mix of heavy vehicles entering the industrial estate, company buses, public transport vehicles and private cars. Traffic volumes rise sharply during the evening shift change, when workers leave factories and other establishments.
According to the report, heavy vehicles enter the main road from three points: near the Anand Nagar police outpost, close to the Krishna Palace hotel and at a right turn before Pink City. The movement of these vehicles coincides with the evening rush, creating conflict between vehicles entering the industrial area and those travelling along the main corridor.
The congestion is then worsened by lane cutting and vehicles attempting to enter the road from any available gap. Motorists trying to leave the jam quickly reportedly drive in an undisciplined manner, further obstructing the carriageway. The report said it can take between one and one-and-a-half hours for the traffic to return to normal once the gridlock sets in.
The impact is particularly severe for workers returning home from the Ambernath industrial zone. Company buses, public transport vehicles and private cars remain stuck for long periods, delaying the arrival of vehicles for subsequent trips and extending the evening commute. Workers who have completed their shifts are reaching home late after losing substantial time on the road.
The disruption also illustrates the operational pressure placed on a corridor that serves both industrial freight movement and daily passenger travel. Heavy vehicles and commuter traffic converge at the same junctions during the same time window, while roadside enforcement is reported to be absent when traffic volumes are at their highest.
Passengers caught in the congestion have demanded immediate intervention from the traffic police. Their demands include the permanent deployment of personnel between Anand Nagar and the T-junction during peak hours and action against motorists driving against traffic or changing lanes recklessly.
The report did not provide a response from the traffic police or specify whether a permanent deployment plan, junction redesign or traffic-diversion arrangement has been approved. The immediate demand from affected commuters remains the deployment of traffic personnel and enforcement at the identified congestion points.
