Mumbai: Shiv Sena, a key ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at Centre, on September 15 held a demonstration and party workers embarked on "free of charge travel" at Churchgate terminus in South Mumbai to protest against Railway's decision to impose a Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) surcharge on suburban rail commuters.

Scores of Sena workers, carrying saffron flags and placards, shouted slogans against the fare hike and travelled without purchasing tickets to protest against the price hike.

Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, senior leaders Narayan Rane and Mohan Rawale were among those who led the agitation.

The Railway Ministry has hiked the train fares on the suburban section from September 15 to raise funds for completion of the ambitious MUTP project, which envisages among others things major changes in the transport system of the metropolis.

Speaking on the occasion, Uddhav came down heavily on the government's decision to impose the surcharge stating that it would burden the common man.

He also urged Sena workers to travel ticketless as a symbol of the party's protest.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Railway Suburban Railway Passengers Association would be moving the Mumbai High Court against the MUTP surcharge, a representative of the association said.

PTI