Pune: Strong Opposition to Proposed Change in Pune-Nashik Railway Route, Chakka Jam Held Across Region

Pune, 9th August 2026: Strong opposition to the proposed change in the alignment of the Pune-Nashik direct railway project was witnessed across the region on Sunday, as thousands of citizens took to the streets and staged chakka jam protests at several locations.

Roadblock protests were held at Chakan, Khed, Manchar, Narayangaon, Alephata and Sangamner, as well as at Gonde Phata on the Samruddhi Expressway and in the Sinnar area. The protests disrupted traffic, resulting in long queues of vehicles on both sides of several highways. A large number of young people also participated in the agitation.

The protesters demanded that the original alignment of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway project, planned to provide a direct connection between the two cities, be retained. They opposed the revised route proposed via Nashik-Shirdi-Ahilyanagar-Pune, arguing that it would be longer and bypass several towns included in the original alignment.

In Sangamner, the protest was held at the Hivargaon Pavsa toll plaza on the Pune-Nashik highway under the leadership of senior leader Balasaheb Thorat, former MLA Sudhir Tambe and Jaishree Thorat. MLA Satyajit Tambe led a separate protest on the Samruddhi Expressway.

Padma Shri awardee Raghuveer Khedkar, members of the Rahul Gandhi Supporters’ Association, Chhatra Bharati, Shiv Sena (UBT), the Railway Action Committee and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi spokesperson Utkarsha Rupwate were among those who participated. Leaders and activists from various political parties also joined the agitation.

According to the protesters, the earlier railway alignment had already reached an advanced stage, with land acquired in several villages. In Sangamner taluka alone, 285 hectares of land had reportedly been acquired from 26 villages for the earlier proposed route, with farmers receiving Rs 684.62 crore in compensation.
The proposed change in alignment has triggered resentment among residents of Sinnar, Akole, Sangamner, Narayangaon, Khed, Manchar, Chakan and surrounding areas. Protesters said they had supported the project and cooperated with the land acquisition process on the understanding that the direct Pune-Nashik route would be implemented.

The agitation gained momentum after MLA Satyajit Tambe called for a region-wide movement demanding restoration of the original alignment. Addressing protesters, leaders said the revised route would not be accepted and warned that a larger movement would be launched if the demand was not addressed.
Tambe said the demand for the direct Pune-Nashik railway was not linked to any particular political party but had evolved into a people’s movement over several years.

“The original alignment must be retained. We will not accept any attempt to change the route under pressure or for any reason. The committee appointed to study the technical difficulties is a welcome step, but the issue should not be delayed by granting it repeated extensions. The committee must submit a clear report within 60 days and a decision should be taken thereafter. Public sentiment must also be considered along with the technical aspects,” he said.

During the protest on the Samruddhi Expressway, police detained Tambe. Some agitated protesters reportedly attempted to stop the police vehicle following his detention.

The protesters said they would continue their agitation until the government takes a clear decision to restore the original direct Pune-Nashik railway alignment.