The sugarcane price protest in Maharashtra intensified on Wednesday as the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, led by former MP Raju Shetti, warned of a wider agitation that could affect milk and vegetable supplies to Mumbai and Pune.
Thousands of farmers continued an indefinite blockade of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway near the Kini toll plaza for the second consecutive day. They are demanding a minimum first instalment of ₹4,500 per tonne for sugarcane supplied to mills during the ongoing crushing season.
The blockade began around noon on Tuesday and has disrupted traffic, leaving several trucks and other vehicles stranded. Shetti has said the protest will continue until the farmers' demand is accepted.
The organisation has accused sugar mills of refusing to offer remunerative prices despite favourable sugar market conditions and earnings from by-products such as bagasse and molasses. At an earlier sugarcane convention, Shetti had demanded ₹5,500 per tonne.
Truck Drivers Launch Separate Protest
The prolonged blockade has triggered a separate protest by truck drivers stranded along the highway.
Drivers alleged that smaller vehicles were being allowed to pass while heavy vehicles had not been provided adequate alternative routes. They also complained about a lack of food and drinking water during the disruption.
Some truck drivers attempted to stage a separate blockade on Wednesday. Police intervened and used force to move them towards the roadside.
The drivers alleged that police personnel slapped and assaulted one of them during the intervention. Additional police personnel have since been deployed to prevent further escalation.
The truckers have demanded that the administration arrange alternative routes for heavy vehicles rather than keeping them stranded.
Highway Blockade Disrupts Traffic Across Western Maharashtra
The agitation has affected several stretches of the Pune-Bengaluru highway, including areas near Kini toll plaza in Kolhapur and Nagthane in Satara district.
Traffic disruptions have been reported around Satara, Nagthane, Umbraj, Atit, Kini and nearby locations.
Police have arranged diversions at Karad, Peth Naka, Sangli Phata, Top, Vathar, Kagal and Uchgaon Phata. Heavy vehicles have been particularly affected, with long queues reported at multiple points.
Farmers Seek Higher Sugar and Ethanol Prices
The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana has argued that sugar mills should share a fairer proportion of their earnings with sugarcane growers.
Along with the ₹4,500-per-tonne first instalment, the organisation has demanded an increase in the minimum selling price of sugar from ₹31 to ₹50 per kg and a revision of ethanol procurement prices.
Discussions involving sugar industry representatives and experts are expected at the Sugar Commissioner's office in Pune.
Fadnavis Appeals to Shetti to Withdraw Protest
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to Shetti to call off the agitation, saying the state government is holding discussions to resolve the dispute.
Fadnavis said the government had announced the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), but farmers were seeking a higher payment. He added that Minister Hasan Mushrif had been directed to engage with stakeholders.
The Chief Minister also warned that delays in starting crushing operations could encourage factories in neighbouring Karnataka to procure sugarcane from Maharashtra, potentially creating shortages for mills within the state.
The immediate challenge for the government is to resolve the price dispute while preventing further disruption to transport and essential supplies.
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