The Pune–Mumbai Expressway is expected to face heavy congestion today as around 8,000 political workers from Pune and western Maharashtra head to Mumbai for a high-profile rally at Worli’s NSCI Dome. Organised jointly by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT), the “Victory Rally” comes in the wake of the state government’s decision to withdraw controversial resolutions mandating Hindi as a compulsory third language in schools. The move had drawn significant backlash from pro-Marathi groups and cultural organisations.
Despite no official mobilisation effort by party leaders, thousands of supporters are travelling in private vehicles to attend the rally. About 3,000 attendees are expected from Pune alone, with the remaining participants coming from districts across western Maharashtra. Organisers said that space constraints at the indoor venue made it impractical to arrange collective transport, prompting many to take up the journey independently. The event is scheduled to commence at 10 am, and traffic build-up is expected to peak during early morning and late afternoon hours. Political posters featuring both Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray for the first time have sparked speculation of a renewed alliance between the estranged cousins. Although the event has been labelled as cultural and non-political, it has become a symbolic platform for displaying linguistic pride and political reconciliation. According to party functionaries, the state’s withdrawal of the Hindi GR was seen as a reaction to the united voice of Marathi-speaking citizens, and today’s rally is intended as a public demonstration of that unity.
Only leaders from the two organising parties are expected to address the crowd, with invitations extended to select representatives from other parties. A senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said the event was not merely political but an emotional assertion of regional identity. The rally is being closely watched as a possible precursor to a larger coalition in the run-up to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. With the turnout expected to exceed 10,000, expressway police and traffic management authorities have been placed on high alert. Officers confirmed that enhanced patrols are being deployed along the route and that traffic flow is being closely monitored. A full-dress rehearsal of the traffic plan was conducted on Friday to ensure smooth vehicular movement and avoid major gridlocks. Motorists are being advised to plan ahead and expect intermittent delays along key junctions and toll plazas.
Participants travelling in private vehicles are likely to overwhelm parking facilities both en route and near the NSCI Dome. As most attendees will converge in peak daytime hours, the pressure on expressway infrastructure will likely expose long-standing challenges in handling episodic spikes in private vehicle usage. Monsoon rains are also forecast in the region, further complicating the logistics and increasing the potential for delays. While prominent leaders from other political fronts are not expected to participate, a few may attend symbolically. A functionary from the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party confirmed that their state president may be present, though the party chief himself has prior engagements. The presence of other political factions at an event hosted by MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) has raised questions about the possibility of wider political realignment in the state’s shifting landscape.
Officials associated with the planning of the rally described it as a moment of cultural assertion. The inclusion of linguistic rights in the broader political narrative has resonated deeply with the Marathi-speaking population. Organisers reiterated that the rally is not confined to party loyalty but seeks to defend the collective interests of Maharashtra’s cultural identity. The decision to host the rally indoors was made to accommodate the monsoon season and ensure safety. However, organisers acknowledged the possibility of large crowds spilling outside the NSCI Dome and have prepared a contingency plan to manage the overflow. Crowd control teams and volunteers have been stationed around the venue to prevent disorder, especially in the event of sudden showers or logistical bottlenecks.
The rally, though officially categorised as non-political, carries the weight of larger political messaging. The rare show of unity between two parties historically divided reflects a shift towards collective identity-building, especially on emotive issues like language and culture. Several political observers believe today’s gathering may mark the beginning of a broader electoral collaboration. On the ground, however, the immediate concern remains traffic congestion. The surge in independently travelling participants highlights the limited availability of high-capacity public transit alternatives for such large-scale movements between major cities. Experts have repeatedly called for integrated mobility planning, especially during public events, to reduce the strain on roads and promote sustainable commuting models.
Today’s rally, while aimed at cultural consolidation, also places a spotlight on the city’s transport infrastructure and the challenges of urban crowd management in a climate-vulnerable region. The coming together of thousands on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway in support of language rights represents not just political fervour, but the human force behind regional assertion. Whether this translates into a lasting alliance remains to be seen, but the message is clear: cultural identity remains a powerful mobilising force in Maharashtra’s evolving political arena.
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