A persistent traffic jam near the CNG and petrol pump at Bhui Gaon Phata on the Vasai-Arnala road has prompted local villagers to warn of an indefinite road blockade from October 2 if the problem is not resolved, according to a report by Loksatta – Vasai-Virar.
The queues of cars, autorickshaws and other vehicles waiting for CNG are forming on both sides of the road near the Indian Oil fuel station. Residents say the parked vehicles are narrowing an already congested stretch and creating regular traffic snarls. They have also raised concerns about the increased risk of accidents for motorists and pedestrians using the route.
The Vasai-Arnala road is the only major road connecting the rural areas of Vasai with the wider road network, the report said. The road is old and narrow, while Bhui Gaon Phata is a central junction with regular traffic movement. The location also serves people travelling to Bhui Gaon beach, the Swami Samarth Math and meetings associated with Nana Dharmadhikari, adding to the movement of residents and visitors.
The fuel station located next to Bhui Gaon Phata operates both petrol and CNG facilities. According to the villagers cited in the report, the station does not have adequate private space for vehicles waiting to refuel. As a result, four-wheelers and autorickshaws line up along both sides of the Vasai-Arnala main road, which falls under the Public Works Department.
Residents said the queues have made traffic congestion a routine problem for people travelling on the road. They also complained that some motorists, particularly autorickshaw drivers, drive irresponsibly in the crowded area, further increasing the possibility of collisions and unsafe movement through the junction.
The disruption affects more than through traffic. Vehicles waiting for CNG occupy road space on a route already constrained by its width, while visitors heading towards the beach and other local destinations add to demand during busy periods. The report did not provide the length of the queues, the number of vehicles affected or details of any traffic-management measures currently in place.
Villagers have warned that they will begin an indefinite road blockade from October 2 if a solution is not found. The proposed protest places pressure on the concerned authorities and the fuel station to address the lack of vehicle waiting space and the resulting obstruction on the public road. The report did not specify whether the Public Works Department, traffic police or the fuel station operator had announced a response.
