Traffic on the Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway was disrupted on Wednesday as farmers continued their protest near the Maharashtra-Karnataka border over demands related to sugarcane prices, ethanol rates and other issues.
Police have advised motorists to avoid the affected stretch of National Highway 48 (NH-48) and asked Google Maps to mark the section as closed to prevent vehicles from entering the congested area.
The protest began on Tuesday morning near the Kognoli toll plaza in Karnataka, close to the Maharashtra border. It has affected traffic travelling from Kolhapur and other parts of Maharashtra towards Belagavi and Bengaluru.
Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Inspector General of Police, Kolhapur Range, urged commuters to use alternative routes until the situation improves.
According to the office of Dr Shivaji Pawar, Superintendent of Police (Highway), Pune Range, there was no improvement in the situation as of Wednesday morning.
Police Suggest Alternative Routes
Authorities have advised motorists to avoid NH-48 unless their journeys are essential, warning that congestion could continue for some time.
Police have suggested two alternative routes for commuters travelling towards Belagavi.
The first route passes through Satara, Rahimatpur, Vita, Tasgaon, Miraj, Gokak and Belagavi.
The second route runs through Satara, Karad, Islampur, Ashta, Miraj, Kagwad, Gokak and Belagavi.
बेलगावी, कर्नाटक: गन्ने के MSP और FRP में बढ़ोतरी सहित विभिन्न मांगों को लेकर बेलगावी में किसानों का आंदोलन दूसरे दिन भी जारी है, जिससे पुणे-बेंगलुरु NH-48 पूरी तरह बाधित हो गया है। किसानों ने जिले के तीन प्रमुख टोल प्लाजा बंद करवा दिए हैं। किसान नेताओं ने मांगें पूरी करने के लिए… pic.twitter.com/3LLxWJdrcI
— IANS Hindi (@IANSKhabar) October 14, 2026
Traffic police and local police personnel have been deployed along the alternative routes to help manage vehicle movement.
Sharma urged commuters who cannot postpone their journeys to follow the diversions. He said police would inform commuters when traffic conditions improve.
Google Maps Asked to Flag Closure
Police have requested Google Maps to notify users about the affected stretch, provide information about congestion and delays, and avoid directing vehicles through the protest-hit section.
The platform has also been asked to recommend alternative routes to help motorists reach their destinations, Sharma said.
The request was made with the safety of long-distance passenger vehicles and heavy goods vehicles in mind, he added.
Police will notify Google Maps once traffic returns to normal so that the platform can remove the closure advisories.
Authorities have urged commuters to follow official traffic updates and use the suggested diversions until normal movement resumes.
