{
  "id": 3768616,
  "title": "Maharashtra: Shahapur-Murbad-Khopoli Highway Work Resumes After Women’s Agitation, Farmers’ Consent",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/maharashtra-shahapur-murbad-khopoli-highway-work-resumes-after-womens",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T15:18:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-shahapur-murbad-khopoli-highway-work-resumes-after-womens-agitation-farmers-consent"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Thane, August 27, 2026: The Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway project, which had been stalled for nearly eight years, is now making progress following a protest by women from the Narishakti organization on August 25. The protest, held on Mangalagauri, compelled the administration to take action, with work on the construction now underway. The highway serves as a vital connectivity route for several villages in the Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli area. The project's incompletion had caused significant difficulties for residents, including commuters, students, farmers, and workers.\n\nAfter the protest, Tahsildar Parmeshwar Kasule spoke to the protesting women over the phone. Naib Tahsildar Sadanand Ghute and Police Inspector Vilas Kadam subsequently provided the protesters with a written assurance that the highway work would resume. This assurance led to the protest's dissolution. The Narishakti organization welcomed the commencement of the roadwork, with the protesting women expressing satisfaction over the development.\n\nAn important hurdle in the project was the opposition from some affected farmers who demanded compensation. After discussions between the administration and the farmers, the latter agreed to allow construction on the existing seven-metre-wide road, clearing the way for further work. P.P. Lahane, Executive Engineer of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), informed that the farmers initially demanded compensation, which had led to resistance against the roadwork. The resolved issue has now allowed the highway's completion, which is expected to enhance connectivity between Shahapur, Murbad, Karjat, and Khopoli. This improvement will facilitate the transportation of agricultural products, improve students' commutes, and offer relief to workers, businesses, and commercial vehicles utilizing the route.",
  "summary": "Thane, August 27, 2026: The long-pending work on the Shahapur-Murbad-Patgaon-Khopoli highway has finally gained momentum following an agitation by the Narishakti organisation on August 25. The protest, held on the occasion of Mangalagauri, appears to have prompted the administration to act, with work on the stalled stretch now reportedly underway. The highway is a crucial connectivity route for…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}