Thousands of commuters heading towards Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara and Belagavi faced a difficult journey on Thursday as a farmers’ agitation continued to disrupt traffic on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) for the third consecutive day. The protest, led by former MP Raju Shetti, has left vehicles stranded along a nearly 120-km stretch, adding to the difficulties of people travelling home for Diwali.
The agitation centres on Shetti’s demand for an advance payment of Rs 4,500 per tonne of sugarcane. With no breakthrough in sight, the blockade has severely affected traffic between Nagthane in Satara district and Sangli Phata in Kolhapur district.
Several heavy vehicles have been stuck on the highway, while diversions have pushed additional traffic onto smaller roads and bypasses. Commuters travelling from Pune towards Kolhapur and Sangli have reported long delays, with congestion extending from the D-Mart area in Satara to Ajintha Chowk.
Diversions offer little relief to commuters
Although traffic has been redirected through Rahimatpur, the movement of heavy trucks on alternative roads has slowed down smaller vehicles as well. Authorities have suggested different routes depending on the destination, but these roads are also witnessing increased traffic.
Small vehicles heading towards Sangli have been advised to pass through Satara city, Rahimatpur, Pusesavali and Palus. Those travelling towards Kolhapur can take routes through Rahimatpur, Ashta, Bagani and Peth Vadgaon.
For passengers travelling with families, the prolonged disruption has turned festive journeys into an ordeal.
“We have been stuck on the highway since last night with our children and elderly family members. We were travelling to Kolhapur to celebrate Diwali with our relatives, but our vehicle has barely moved for hours. We have limited food and water, and the children are getting restless,” said Mangesh Chirute, a passenger stranded on the highway.
MSRTC cancels around 100 bus trips daily
Public transport services have also taken a hit, with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) cancelling around 100 bus trips every day because of the blockade.
Arun Siya, MSRTC Pune divisional controller, said the corporation had started operating some services through alternative routes from Wednesday, including those passing through Sangli, Rahimatpur and Vita, to help stranded passengers reach their destinations.
“We are constantly assessing which routes can safely be used to operate services and hope that a solution will emerge soon,” Siya said.
However, diversion routes have brought their own safety concerns. A Karnataka-registered bus was stopped near Rahimatpur on Thursday, and its window panes were damaged.
Transporters warn of supply chain disruption
The blockade has also affected the movement of essential goods. Baba Shinde, president of the Maharashtra State Transporters Association, said more than 1,500 trucks carrying grains, vegetables and other commodities had remained stranded for 2 days, causing losses to transporters and raising concerns over supplies.
The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana has threatened to intensify the protest if sugar factories and the government fail to resolve the dispute. Shetti has also warned of disrupting milk and vegetable supplies to Mumbai and Pune.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government determines the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), while payments beyond the prescribed rate have to be negotiated between farmers and sugar factory owners. He said Minister Hasan Mushrif had been asked to hold discussions with stakeholders to resolve the matter.
Talks are expected to continue as commuters and transport operators await a resolution to the standoff.