Mahabaleshwar Bandh Call on Sunday Over Poor Road Work; Tourists Asked to Avoid Travel

Satara: Tourists planning to visit Mahabaleshwar this weekend have been advised to reconsider their travel plans as a citywide shutdown has been called on Sunday (March 8). The bandh has been announced to protest the slow pace and poor quality of work on the Surur–Wai–Mahabaleshwar–Poladpur road.

The hill station usually witnesses a heavy influx of tourists from nearby cities during weekends. However, local residents have decided to observe a complete shutdown on Sunday in protest against the long-pending road work. Citizens have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the lack of progress on the Surur to Poladpur road project despite repeated demands to speed up the work.

The protest will also coincide with International Women’s Day and the festival of Rangpanchami, when residents plan to express their anger through a complete shutdown of the town. Citizens have warned that if the authorities still fail to accelerate the road work after this protest, they may resort to an indefinite citywide shutdown and road blockade agitation.

Road Condition Causing Major Trouble

The road construction work has been ongoing for several months, but progress has been extremely slow. As a result, the 20-km stretch between Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar has been badly damaged.

Several portions of the road are dug up, and large potholes have developed at many locations. In addition, dust generated due to construction work has made travelling on the route difficult for motorists, passengers and tourists. Many people have stopped using this road and have opted for longer alternative routes to avoid the inconvenience.

However, students and daily commuters have limited options and are forced to travel on the same damaged road, causing severe difficulties in their daily routine.

Daily Commuters Also Affected

A large number of people from Wai travel to Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar for employment every day. These commuters are also facing serious inconvenience due to the poor condition of the road.

To discuss the issue of the Surur–Poladpur road and other civic problems in the city, a non-political meeting was convened at the Petit Library ground by Rajesh Kumbhardare, former district chief of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction). Citizens were invited to participate in the meeting, which received a good response from the local community.

The meeting was attended by the town’s mayor, councillors, representatives of various political parties, members of the hotel association and several local residents.

Among those present were Mayor Sunil Shinde, former mayor D. M. Bawlekar, former mayor Vimal Parte, councillors Santosh Shinde, Afzal Sutar, Sanjay Jangam, Smita Patil, Vishal Toshniwal, Sandeep Salunkhe, Ramesh Kaul, Ramesh Palod, Atul Salagre, Vrushali Doifode, Yashwant Ghadge, Shankar Dhebe, Savita Palod, Amit Dhebe, Rajshri Bhise, Mahesh Gujar, Hemant Salvi, Ankit Palod and Yogesh Bawlekar.

Warning of Bigger Protest

Rajesh Kumbhardare warned that if the state government fails to take note of the agitation, residents of Mahabaleshwar will stage a protest outside the Mantralaya in Mumbai by waving black flags and displaying protest banners.

He also stated that efforts will be made to involve residents of Panchgani and Wai in the agitation to strengthen the movement demanding immediate completion of the road project.