Nadgaon Women Block Shahapur Highway for 3 Hours Over 8-Year Road Delay

Women from the Nadgaon area in Thane's Shahapur taluka staged a protest on Tuesday, August 25, blocking traffic for nearly three hours on the Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway to demand the immediate completion of long-pending road construction work.

Marking the occasion of Mangala Gaur, the protesters staged a sit-in on the pothole-ridden highway and performed traditional Mangala Gaur games directly on the damaged stretch. The agitation was aimed at drawing attention to administrative apathy and the functioning of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

Protesters expressed strong anger after no MSRDC official arrived at the spot despite receiving prior notification about the demonstration. The women questioned why the highway project has remained unfinished for eight years since work began in 2018, and asked whether elected representatives, including local MLAs and MPs, were aware of the problems faced by residents.

The unfinished road project has left commuters dealing with large potholes, unpaved sections, dust, and mud. Thousands of students, workers, farmers, traders, and patients from Shahapur taluka use the highway daily. Residents noted that the road's deteriorating condition has led to vehicle damage and heightened accident risks. Students face delays reaching schools and colleges, while emergency patients, senior citizens, and pregnant women experience severe difficulties travelling to healthcare facilities.

The demonstration received support from residents and women across several surrounding villages, including Nadgaon, Bhatpada, Sakharpada, Shirgaon, Lenad, Donghar, Neharoli, and Shendrun. Participants demanded that the pending construction work be resumed immediately, potholes be filled, and traffic hazards addressed on priority.

The protest was called off after Naib Tehsildar Sadanand Ghute and Police Inspector Vilas Kadam arrived at the scene and presented a written communication to the protesters on behalf of the administration.

Chandrakala Durge, who led the agitation, warned that the protest would be intensified if work on the highway does not start within the promised timeframe. Among the participants were Vidyatai Vekhande, Dr Aparna Khade, Pushpa Pansare, Kamal Rera, Asha Manje, Anita Harad, Darshana Bhalke, Sunita Pawar, Vijaya Belvale, Harshala Jagare, Savita Vishe, Rekha Jagare, Juhi Pawar, Deepika Bhalke, Vandana Harad, Bharti Kadam, Radhika Harad, and Sarika Farde, along with hundreds of local residents.