Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Women’s Agitation and Farmers’ Consent Restart Maharashtra Highway Work
A road connecting several villages in Maharashtra had been unfinished for almost eight years.
The poor road made travel difficult for students, farmers, workers and drivers.
Women from Nadgaon and nearby villages protested to demand that construction restart.
Government and police officials gave them a written promise that work would resume.
The protest ended after that promise.
Some farmers had earlier objected because they wanted compensation for land affected by the project.
After discussions, the farmers allowed construction on the existing seven-metre-wide road.
The road is now being repaired and is expected to make travel and transport easier.
Work has resumed on the long-delayed Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway after a women-led protest on August 25.
The Narishakti organisation and residents held a three-hour sit-in demanding visible progress on the stalled road project.
Officials provided a written assurance that construction would restart, after which the agitation was called off.
Affected farmers agreed to construction on the existing seven-metre-wide road after discussions about compensation.
The completed highway is expected to improve connectivity among Shahapur, Murbad, Karjat and Khopoli and benefit commuters, farmers and businesses.
- Who
- The Narishakti organisation, women residents from Nadgaon and nearby villages, local officials, affected farmers, and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation.
- What
- Construction resumed on the long-delayed Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway after a protest and an agreement with affected farmers.
- When
- The agitation took place on August 25, 2026; the report is dated August 27, 2026.
- Where
- The Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli belt in Thane, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Residents sought relief from difficult travel caused by unfinished roadwork, while farmers had sought compensation for land affected by construction.
Residents and Highway Supporters
Affected Farmers Seeking Compensation
Resuming construction
Residents and Highway Supporters
The Narishakti organisation and local residents demanded immediate, visible progress because the unfinished road caused potholes, dust, mud and difficult travel.
Affected Farmers Seeking Compensation
Affected farmers initially resisted construction because they expected compensation for land affected by the project.
Basis for moving forward
Residents and Highway Supporters
Protesters accepted the officials’ written assurance that work would resume and ended their agitation.
Affected Farmers Seeking Compensation
After discussions with the administration, farmers agreed to construction on the existing seven-metre-wide road, removing the reported obstacle to further work.
- Project
- Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway
- Project delay
- Construction had remained incomplete for nearly eight years.
- Protest date
- August 25, 2026
- Protest duration
- Three-hour sit-in by women from Nadgaon and surrounding villages
- Road width
- Affected farmers agreed to construction on the existing seven-metre-wide road.
- Officials involved
- Tahsildar Parmeshwar Kasule, Naib Tahsildar Sadanand Ghute and Police Inspector Vilas Kadam
- Expected benefits
- Improved connectivity and easier transport for agricultural produce, students, workers, businesses and commercial vehicles.