Full Breakdown
Farmers’ Protest Blocks Key Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Disruption on NH-48
A farmers’ protest at the Kognoli toll plaza on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border halted traffic on National Highway 48 (NH-48), the main corridor linking Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru. The agitation, which began on Tuesday, centers on demands for higher sugarcane prices and increased ethanol rates. Police reported that the blockage forced long-distance commuters to seek alternate routes and caused congestion for both passenger and goods vehicles traveling toward Belagavi and Bengaluru.
Police Advisory and Rerouting
Inspector General of Police, Kolhapur Range, Ranjan Kumar Sharma issued an advisory urging motorists to avoid the affected stretch. He outlined two detours:
- Route 1 (passenger vehicles): Satara -> Rahimatpur -> Vita -> Tasgaon -> Miraj -> Gokak -> Belagavi.
- Route 2 (heavy goods vehicles): Satara -> Karad -> Islampur -> Ashta -> Miraj -> Kagwad -> Gokak -> Belagavi.
Police superintendent (Highway Safety Patrol, Pune) Shivaji Pawar confirmed that traffic within Maharashtra’s jurisdiction remains unobstructed, but the interstate impact must be considered when planning journeys. The police also wrote to Google Maps, requesting the platform mark the NH-48 segment as closed, display delay alerts, and suggest the identified alternatives until the protest ends.
Impact on Travelers
The disruption has inconvenienced motorists, bus passengers, and transport operators, especially those undertaking long-distance trips. Authorities warned that the situation could persist for an indeterminate period, advising commuters to travel only if essential and to monitor updates before setting out.
Verbatim Quote
“The impact of the agitation on interstate traffic on NH 48 must be taken into account while planning journeys.” — Shivaji Pawar