WATCH: Massive Rasta Roko Underway On Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway Near Pune; Traffic Diverted

Pune: Farmers and residents affected by the proposed Bhongavli power project staged a rasta roko at Kapurhol Chowk in Bhor tehsil in Pune district on Sunday. This rasta roko has affected traffic on the Pune-Satara section of the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway.

The protest began at around 10 am against the proposed GS Pune-III high-voltage power project at Bhongavli and the 765 kV transmission lines linked to it. Farmers and villagers from the affected areas have joined the protest with tractors, bullock carts and cattle.

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The agitation has led to traffic diversions on the Pune-Satara and Satara-Pune routes. The administration had ordered the diversions from 8 am until the protest ends and advised motorists to avoid Kapurhol Chowk.

For vehicles travelling from Pune towards Satara, traffic is being diverted through Narhe, Katraj, Kambla Khadi Machine, Saswad, Jejuri and Nira before proceeding towards Satara.

Vehicles travelling from Satara towards Pune are being diverted through Shirwal or Pandharpur Phata, Lonand, Nira, Jejuri and Saswad.

Other diversions have also been announced for vehicles travelling between Saswad and Kapurhol and from Pune towards Velhe. The traffic restrictions were imposed under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, following a report from Pune Rural Police.

Farmers Oppose Power Project

The protest has been organised by the Bhor-Rajgad Tehsil Substation and Tower Line Removal Sangharsh Samiti.

The protesters are opposing the proposed GS Pune-III project at Bhongavli and the transmission infrastructure associated with it. The project includes 765/400/220 kV electricity infrastructure and high-voltage transmission lines.

Bhongavli and several other villages in Bhor and Purandar talukas are part of the proposed transmission network. Government documents have also listed Bhongavli among the villages affected by the proposed 765 kV transmission infrastructure.

Farmers and affected residents have been opposing the project over concerns linked to the substation and transmission towers passing through their areas.

Tension Had Escalated Earlier This Month

The protest comes after an escalation at the project site earlier this month.

On August 2, a mob allegedly attacked the Bhongavli power substation project site and set fire to equipment. Workers were allegedly assaulted, and machinery worth lakhs of rupees was damaged.

The project is reportedly being developed across around 100 acres.

The latest road blockade is therefore part of a wider dispute between affected residents and authorities over the proposed power and transmission project.

Police Deployment Increased

A large police deployment has been made at Kapurhol Chowk in view of the expected turnout.

Authorities had anticipated the participation of farmers with tractors and bullock carts and made arrangements to prevent a major law-and-order situation.

The administration had also warned of traffic congestion due to the protest. Sunday traffic was expected to be heavy as tourists and pilgrims travelled towards Saswad, Jejuri, Narayanpur and other religious and tourist destinations during the Shravan month.

As of the latest available ground report, the blockade was continuing, and motorists were being advised to use alternative routes.

The exact size of the crowd, the length of traffic queues and whether any arrests or clashes have taken place during Sunday’s protest could not be independently confirmed at the time of publication.