Residents Protest Poor Surur–Mahabaleshwar Road Work, Wai Observes Shutdown

Residents of Wai and surrounding hill towns have launched protests and shutdown calls against the slow and poor-quality construction of the Surur–Mahabaleshwar road, citing dust, damaged crops, traffic disruptions and economic losses.

March 12, 2026 | Wai, Satara : Residents of Wai in Maharashtra’s Maharashtra district have staged protests and called for a citywide shutdown over the alleged poor quality and slow pace of construction on the Surur–Wai–Panchgani–Mahabaleshwar road stretch. The agitation reflects growing frustration among citizens, traders and farmers who say the prolonged work has severely disrupted daily life and local businesses.

According to local residents, the road widening and cement concreting project on the Surur–Wai–Panchgani–Mahabaleshwar route is being executed under the supervision of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and the state’s Public Works Department. However, locals claim that the construction quality is poor and the project has been progressing at an extremely slow pace, leaving long stretches of road dug up for months.

Travellers using the route have reported major difficulties, including heavy dust pollution, traffic delays and damage to vehicles. Farmers in nearby areas have also complained about losses to crops such as strawberries and mango blossoms due to dust generated from ongoing construction activities.The decision to call for a shutdown was taken during a meeting held at the Wai municipal council hall, attended by traders, hotel owners, farmers, social activists and representatives from various political groups. Protesters warned that if authorities fail to address their demands, they may intensify the agitation and block major highways, including the Pune–Bengaluru Highway, to draw the government’s attention.

Local residents say the deteriorating road conditions have increased travel time significantly and created both physical and financial hardships. The protest movement is also gaining support from nearby tourist hubs such as Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, where businesses dependent on tourism have been affected by declining visitor numbers and transport disruptions

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