Shahapur Women To Protest On Pothole-Ridden Highway After 8-Year Delay In Road Project

Thane: Eight years after work began on the Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway mounting public anger over its incomplete construction and dangerous pothole-ridden stretches has prompted local women to announce a road protest on Tuesday August 25.

The women have decided to sit on the damaged highway on Mangalagaur Day to protest what they allege is the administration’s continued failure to resolve the issue despite repeated representations and assurances.

Highway project remains incomplete since 2018

The highway project being executed under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), was started in 2018 but remains incomplete. Several stretches are marked by deep potholes, unfinished work, dust and mud, while traffic congestion has added to commuters’ woes.

The prolonged delay is reportedly linked to a dispute between farmers affected by the project and the MSRDC. Residents, however, say they have been forced to bear the consequences of the dispute for years.

Residents highlight safety concerns

The road is a key transportation link for thousands of residents of Shahapur taluka, including students, women, workers, farmers and traders. The women have claimed that the hazardous road conditions have contributed to accidents, deaths and serious injuries.

Poor road conditions have also resulted in damage to vehicles and increased commuting time. Students travelling to schools and colleges and workers commuting for employment are particularly affected by traffic congestion and unfinished stretches.

Commuters face daily hardships

The women said the situation is even more difficult for patients, senior citizens and pregnant women travelling to hospitals. They alleged that the condition of the road has created a persistent sense of insecurity among residents.

Despite earlier memorandums and demands for immediate repairs and completion of the project, the women said the administration failed to take effective action. They have now decided to intensify their protest by occupying a section of the damaged road peacefully.

Women submit memorandum to Shahapur administration

The protest is being organised under the guidance of Gram Panchayat member Chandrakala Durge. Sarpanch Kamal Rera, Vidya Durge, Juhi Pawar, Shobha Manje, Daya Bhalke, Sunita Bhalke, Tarabai Durge, Tarabai Bhalke, Kantabai Hard, Sunita Pawar, Sitabai Bhalke, Chhabi Satpute, Sarika Farde, Vijaya Belwle, Shakuntala Bhalke, Jaywanti Bhalke, Tai Madke, Rekha Pawar and Bhavana Pawar, along with several other women, submitted a memorandum to the Shahapur tehsildar and warned of the agitation.

We had already submitted a memorandum and warned the administration about the protest. However, our concerns were not taken seriously and no concrete action was initiated. We have therefore decided to sit on the pothole-ridden road on Tuesday, Mangalagaur day, in protest said Chandrakala Durge, Gram Panchayat member, Nadgaon.

Shahapur Tehsildar Ishwar Kasule said the delay was connected to a dispute between project-affected farmers and the MSRDC.

There is a dispute between the affected farmers and the MSRDC. A meeting with the farmers and concerned officials has been called on Monday to resolve the issue. There is a possibility that the highway work will resume within a week. We have also written to the Thane Superintendent of Police seeking police deployment for completion of the pending work Kasule said.

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