Protest erupts over towing van plan in Thane, protesters demand transparency & parking facilities before rollout

THANE: All party workers and activists staged an impromptu protest against the towing van system being implemented in Thane city and its suburbs. They demanded that it be operated only after providing adequate parking facilities and ensuring transparency in the system.The towing van system was set to be introduced soon to tackle illegal parking by bikers on several roads in the city, which the police claimed often caused a nuisance to the smooth flow of traffic.Hundreds of supporters of the campaign against the towing vans gathered in support of activist Ajay Jeya outside the Thane Traffic Police Headquarters at Teen Haath Naka on Saturday evening. The activists confronted senior police officials, who told the protestors that the new contract had been issued with transparency and accountability in mind.However, as the protestors refused to relent and demanded that the facility be scrapped, the police advised them to approach the courts if they wanted to halt the process.Meanwhile, BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar said he had spoken to the Thane Police Commissioner, requesting him to defer the process following public demand.Pankaj Shirsat, deputy commissioner of Police (Traffic), said the facility had not yet started, as staff training was still underway and designated parking spots were being identified across the city. These locations would be publicised before the towing system is implemented.