Desk | Buldana

A major traffic disruption was witnessed on the Nagpur–Pune–Mumbai Highway in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district after angry farmers staged a road blockade over a severe diesel shortage. The protest led to long queues of vehicles on the highway, causing inconvenience to commuters and transport operators for several hours.

According to local sources, farmers from various villages gathered on the highway demanding immediate action from the administration to resolve the ongoing diesel crisis. The protesters alleged that diesel supply at several petrol pumps in the region has either stopped completely or is being rationed, severely affecting agricultural activities during a crucial farming period.

Farmers claimed that the shortage has made it difficult to operate tractors, water pumps, and other agricultural machinery. With sowing and irrigation work already under pressure due to changing weather conditions, the diesel crisis has added to the challenges faced by the farming community. Many protesters said they were forced to wait for hours at fuel stations, only to return empty-handed.

As the agitation intensified, hundreds of vehicles, including private cars, buses, and heavy transport trucks, were stranded on the busy highway. Visuals from the spot showed long traffic jams stretching across several kilometers. Police personnel and local administration officials rushed to the location to control the situation and initiate talks with the protesting farmers.

The protesters warned that if the diesel supply issue is not resolved immediately, they would continue their agitation in the coming days. They demanded uninterrupted fuel supply and strict monitoring of fuel distribution to prevent black marketing and hoarding.

Officials assured the farmers that efforts are being made to restore normal diesel supply at the earliest. After discussions with the administration, the blockade was eventually cleared, and traffic movement gradually resumed on the highway.

The incident once again highlights the growing difficulties faced by farmers in rural Maharashtra, where fuel shortages can directly impact agricultural productivity and daily livelihoods. Authorities are now under pressure to ensure that such disruptions do not occur again, especially during the critical farming season.