Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Vasai-Virar Activist Begins Indefinite Hunger Strike Over Potholes
Vivek Tiwari is protesting the many potholes on roads in Vasai-Virar.
He started an indefinite hunger strike in Virar on August 15.
He wants the city engineer, Pradeep Pachange, to resign.
Tiwari says road contractors should be checked more carefully.
He also alleges that public money is being wasted, but this has not been independently proven.
The protest followed an earlier demonstration in which he sat inside a pothole.
Some political parties and organisations support his demands.
Protest organisers say the civic administration has not yet given a clear response.
Social activist Vivek Tiwari began an indefinite hunger strike in Virar on August 15 over pothole-ridden roads.
Tiwari is demanding the resignation of Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation City Engineer Pradeep Pachange.
He alleges that Pachange failed to ensure proper roadwork and allowed public money to be wasted; these claims have not been independently established.
The protest entered its fifth day, with organisers saying the civic administration had not provided a concrete response.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Congress and independent organisations have expressed support for the protest, including Abhijit Dipke.
- Who
- Social activist Vivek Tiwari, supported by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Congress, independent organisations and Abhijit Dipke.
- What
- An indefinite hunger strike demanding pothole repairs and the resignation of Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation City Engineer Pradeep Pachange.
- When
- The hunger strike began on August 15 and had entered its fifth day; a support video call by Abhijit Dipke took place on Wednesday.
- Where
- Virar, in the Vasai-Virar area of Maharashtra; earlier protests took place in Ward No. 17 in Nalasopara East.
- Why
- Tiwari is protesting worsening road conditions, alleged negligence in roadwork supervision and the lack of a concrete administrative response.
- Protester
- Vivek Tiwari
- Demand
- Resignation of VVCMC City Engineer Pradeep Pachange
- Start date
- August 15
- Status
- The hunger strike had entered its fifth day
- Earlier protest areas
- Galanagar, Shirdi Nagar and Ambawadi in Nalasopara East
- Political support
- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Congress
- Administrative response
- Protest organisers said no concrete response had been provided