Shahapur-Murbad-Khopoli Highway Work Resumes Following Protest in Nadgaon
Work on the long-stalled Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway has resumed after the Narishakti organisation staged a protest in the Nadgaon area on August 25, prompting the administration to address the pending project.
Women from Nadgaon and several surrounding villages, including Bhatpada, Sakharpada, Shirgaon, Lenad, Donghar, Nehroli, and Shendrun, staged a three-hour sit-in on the occasion of Mangalagauri. The demonstration drew backing from both men and women across the local area, who demanded tangible action on the ground rather than further assurances.
During the demonstration, Tahsildar Parmeshwar Kasule contacted the protesters by phone to discuss their demands. Following this, Naib Tahsildar Sadanand Ghute and Police Inspector Vilas Kadam issued a written assurance that the highway construction would be resumed, after which the agitation was formally called off.
The highway project serves as a critical route for numerous villages across the Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli belt but had remained incomplete for nearly eight years. Incomplete stretches, deep potholes, dust, and heavy monsoon mud had created persistent problems for motorists, students, farmers, and daily workers. Residents had previously submitted multiple memorandums to authorities before the Narishakti organisation initiated the sit-in.
An obstacle concerning land along the alignment has also been cleared. Affected farmers had previously resisted construction while seeking compensation. Following discussions with the administration, the farmers agreed to permit construction along the existing seven-metre-wide road.
P.P. Lahane, Executive Engineer at the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), confirmed that discussions with the farmers resolved the opposition regarding compensation, enabling roadwork to proceed on the affected section.
The Narishakti organisation and participating residents have welcomed the restart of the roadwork. Once finished, the highway is slated to improve connectivity between Shahapur, Murbad, Karjat, and Khopoli, facilitating agricultural transport and daily travel for local commuters.
