Belagavi, October 14: Traffic on the busy Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) was severely disrupted on Wednesday after farmers intensified their protest at the Kognoli toll plaza along the Maharashtra-Karnataka border. The blockade has caused long queues of vehicles and prompted highway police to advise commuters to avoid the affected stretch and use alternative routes.
The agitation, led by the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and supported by farmers’ organisations from Karnataka, entered its second day following unsuccessful discussions between farmers’ representatives and Union ministers over sugarcane prices and related demands.
Why Are Farmers Protesting?
The protest follows a meeting held in New Delhi on October 12 between farmers’ representatives and Union ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The discussions failed to produce an immediate resolution to the farmers’ demands, prompting the organisations to intensify their agitation.
Led by former Member of Parliament Raju Shetti, the protesting farmers are demanding measures to improve the financial condition of sugarcane growers and the sugar industry.
Their key demands include:
- Increase in sugar prices: Raise the minimum selling price of sugar to ₹50 per kilogram.
- Higher ethanol procurement prices: Increase the price of ethanol produced from C-heavy molasses to ₹70 per litre.
- Financial assistance for sugarcane growers: Provide a subsidy of ₹500 per tonne to farmers in view of the early commencement of the sugarcane crushing season.
The farmers argue that rising production costs and stagnant sugar prices have put pressure on sugar mills and affected their ability to offer better returns to sugarcane growers.
Police Advise Commuters to Avoid NH-48
With traffic movement affected at the interstate border, Maharashtra Highway Police have advised motorists travelling from Mumbai, Pune and Satara towards Belagavi and Bengaluru to avoid NH-48 wherever possible until the situation improves.
Kolhapur Range Inspector General of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma has urged commuters to postpone non-essential journeys or use alternative routes. Police have also requested that the affected highway stretch be marked as closed on Google Maps to help motorists avoid congestion.
The disruption has affected private vehicles, passenger buses and goods carriers travelling along the interstate corridor. Police teams from Pune Rural, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur are coordinating traffic diversions.
Alternative Routes for Travellers
Commuters travelling towards Belagavi have been advised to consider alternative routes through Maharashtra and Karnataka.
One suggested route passes through Satara, Rahimatpur, Pusesawali, Nevri, Vita, Tasgaon, Miraj, Kagwad, Raibag and Gokak before reaching Belagavi.
Another option runs through Satara, Karad, Peth Naka, Islampur, Ashta, Miraj, Kagwad, Raibag and Gokak.
Travellers should check current traffic conditions and follow police directions before choosing a diversion, as journey times may increase considerably during the protest.
Protest Spreads Across Maharashtra and Karnataka
The agitation is not limited to Kognoli. Farmers’ organisations have also planned or staged demonstrations at other locations, including Karad, Satara and Indapur in Maharashtra, as well as Hattargi and other parts of Karnataka.
The protests reflect broader concerns over sugar prices, ethanol procurement rates and the financial returns received by sugarcane farmers. The organisations have indicated that they want concrete action on their demands rather than further assurances.
The highway blockade has also raised concerns for transport operators and businesses that depend on the Mumbai-Pune-Bengaluru corridor for the movement of goods.
Traffic Disruption Continues as Farmers Press Demands
As of Wednesday morning, traffic on the affected stretch had yet to return to normal, and police continued to advise motorists to use alternative routes.
The duration of the blockade will depend on developments in discussions between the farmers’ organisations and the government. Until a resolution is reached, commuters travelling between Maharashtra and Karnataka are advised to monitor official traffic updates, allow extra time for their journeys and avoid the Kognoli stretch wherever possible.
The ongoing agitation highlights the growing pressure on authorities to address farmers’ demands while ensuring the smooth movement of vehicles along one of western and southern India’s major highway links.
