Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Farmers Block Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway Near Pune Over Power Project
Farmers and villagers near Pune are protesting a proposed power project.
They say the project and its transmission towers would affect their areas.
On Sunday, they blocked a major road at Kapurhol Chowk.
This caused traffic problems on the Pune-Satara highway section.
Officials sent vehicles along several longer alternative routes.
Police were deployed because many protesters were expected.
The protest included tractors, bullock carts and cattle.
An earlier incident at the project site involved alleged attacks, a fire and damaged machinery.
The size of the crowd and any arrests or clashes on Sunday were not confirmed.
Farmers and residents blocked traffic at Kapurhol Chowk in Pune district on Sunday.
The protest opposes the proposed GS Pune-III power project and associated 765 kV transmission lines.
Authorities diverted Pune-Satara and Satara-Pune traffic through alternative routes from 8 am.
Protesters arrived with tractors, bullock carts and cattle, prompting increased police deployment.
The blockade followed an August 2 alleged attack and fire at the Bhongavli project site.
- Who
- Farmers and residents from areas affected by the proposed Bhongavli power project, organized by the Bhor-Rajgad Tehsil Substation and Tower Line Removal Sangharsh Samiti.
- What
- A rasta roko road blockade opposing the proposed GS Pune-III project and associated high-voltage transmission lines.
- When
- Sunday; the protest began at around 10 am, with traffic diversions ordered from 8 am until it ends.
- Where
- Kapurhol Chowk in Bhor tehsil, Pune district, affecting the Pune-Satara section of the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway.
- Why
- Protesters oppose the proposed substation, transmission infrastructure and towers passing through Bhongavli and other villages in Bhor and Purandar talukas.
Affected residents and farmers
Administrative response and project status
Power project
Affected residents and farmers
Farmers and residents oppose the proposed GS Pune-III project and its substations, towers and transmission lines because they say the infrastructure would affect their areas.
Administrative response and project status
The articles describe the power and transmission infrastructure as a proposed project but do not report a detailed response from its developers or authorities defending it.
Road blockade and traffic
Affected residents and farmers
Protesters used a rasta roko to draw attention to their opposition and continued the blockade as of the latest ground report.
Administrative response and project status
The administration ordered diversions, advised motorists to avoid Kapurhol Chowk and deployed police to manage congestion and possible law-and-order concerns.
- Protest location
- Kapurhol Chowk, Bhor tehsil, Pune district
- Project opposed
- Proposed GS Pune-III high-voltage power project at Bhongavli
- Transmission infrastructure
- Proposed 765/400/220 kV electricity infrastructure, including 765 kV transmission lines
- Traffic impact
- Pune-Satara and Satara-Pune traffic was diverted
- Protest participants
- Farmers and villagers using tractors, bullock carts and cattle
- Legal basis for restrictions
- Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- Earlier project-site incident
- On August 2, a mob allegedly attacked the site, set fire to equipment and damaged machinery