Sena protests at CSIA, dubs Rs 130 toll on commercial vehicles illegal

MNS has accused Sena of hijacking the issue for which it has been fighting since February ’14

An elaborate security arrangement was made at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon to ensure the protestors do not damage the property on the premises.

Security was deployed after at least 50 workers of Shiv Sena agitated against the unauthorised collection of toll charges of Rs 130 from commercial vehicles.

The officer from Sahar police station told Free Press Journal that the agitation lasted for 15 minutes.

The Zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police Anil Kumbhare said security is always tight at the airport.

The protestors were carrying placards and sloganeered against the GVK, a group that operates Mumbai’s CSIA.

The MIAL spokesperson said, “There is a designated place for pick-up and drop. It’s important to maintain discipline at airport, else there will be traffic congestion if one starts waiting and picking up passengers. One needs to follow the set guidelines.”

Earlier, Anil Parab, Member of Legislative Council (MLC) of Sena, had written to the GVK authorities stating that the toll collection was ‘illegal.’ In his letter, dated May 12, 2017, Parab had threatened to “shut down” the whole airport if the toll charges were not withdrawn with immediate effect. However, these protests have triggered a spar between the two Senas.

“We have been fighting for the issue since 2014 for the revocation of toll charges at airport. We have already apprised the senior officers of Mumbai police regarding the high-handedness of airport management,” Akhil Chitre, the vice president of Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS), told the Free Press Journal.

Chitre further added that Sena has tried to hijack the issue for which his party has been fighting with the airport management since February 2014.

“We have filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the high court, it's just a stunt conducted by Shiv Sena to gain publicity and try show that they are against this toll collection, whereas for so many years they were sleeping as they were benefiting from GVK and contractor in doing so,” alleged Chitre.

Chitre has demanded a First Information Report (FIR) be registered against GVK – MIAL under sections of extortion, wrongful restraint and robbery.

He further added, “I have approached the police authorities my statement is recorded by Sahar police station and soon a FIR will be registered and illegal toll charges will be stopped.” He added that it is ‘daylight robbery’ at airport.

The Sena MLC Parab did not respond to several calls and messages.

Security was deployed after at least 50 workers of Shiv Sena agitated against the unauthorised collection of toll charges of Rs 130 from commercial vehicles