Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Women Block Shahapur-Khopoli Highway Over Eight-Year Construction Delay
Women in Nadgaon protested because an important highway has not been finished for eight years.
They sat on the damaged road and stopped traffic for about three hours.
They also played traditional Mangala Gaur games to draw attention to the problem.
The road has potholes, dust, mud and unfinished sections.
Residents said this makes travel dangerous and can damage vehicles.
Students, workers, farmers, traders and patients use the road regularly.
The women asked officials to restart and finish the work quickly.
The protest ended after local officials gave them a written promise of action, but the women said they may protest again.
Women from Nadgaon blocked the pothole-ridden highway for nearly three hours on Tuesday, August 25.
Protesters performed traditional Mangala Gaur games to highlight the road’s poor condition and administrative inaction.
The Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway project, started in 2018, remains incomplete under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation.
Residents said potholes, dust, mud and unfinished stretches endanger commuters and disrupt access to schools, work and hospitals.
The protest ended after officials gave the women written communication, but organizers warned of intensified action if work does not begin.
- Who
- Women from Nadgaon and nearby villages, supported by local residents, staged the protest.
- What
- They held a sit-in and blocked traffic for nearly three hours, demanding completion of the delayed highway project and repairs to potholes.
- When
- Tuesday, August 25; the highway project began in 2018.
- Where
- On the Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway near the Nadgaon area in Thane district.
- Why
- Residents said the eight-year delay and deteriorated road conditions were causing travel difficulties, safety risks and vehicle damage.
Protesters’ View
Administration’s Response
Highway delay
Protesters’ View
The women said the project had remained incomplete for eight years despite repeated representations and protests, and demanded that work resume immediately.
Administration’s Response
The administration responded by sending Naib Tehsildar Sadanand Ghute and Police Inspector Vilas Kadam, who gave the protesters written communication assuring action.
Road safety and daily travel
Protesters’ View
Residents said potholes, dust, mud and unfinished sections were making travel dangerous and difficult for students, workers, farmers, traders, patients, senior citizens and pregnant women.
Administration’s Response
The article does not provide a detailed response from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation; protesters said no MSRDC official attended the demonstration despite prior information.
- Project
- Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway
- Implementing agency
- Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation
- Project start
- 2018
- Protest duration
- Nearly three hours
- Main demands
- Immediate resumption and completion of work, pothole repairs and action on traffic problems
- Administrative response
- Naib Tehsildar Sadanand Ghute and Police Inspector Vilas Kadam gave protesters written communication on behalf of the administration
- Protest warning
- Leader Chandrakala Durge said the agitation would intensify if work did not begin within the stipulated timeframe