10 August,2026 08:37 AM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
The agitation, held on Kranti Din, stretched from Chakan to Sinnar. Pic/By Special Arrangement
A massive protest over the proposed change in the alignment of the Pune-Nashik Semi High-Speed Railway project brought traffic to a halt at several points along the Pune-Nashik Highway on Sunday, with citizens demanding that the original route be retained.
The agitation, held on Kranti Din, stretched from Chakan to Sinnar, with protesters clashing with police at some locations. Police personnel removed demonstrators from the carriageway and detained several activists to prevent the highway from being completely blocked.
In Nashik district, thousands gathered at Gonde Phata in Sinnar under the leadership of MLA Satyajit Tambe and MP Rajabhau Waje. Protesters also blocked the Samruddhi Mahamarg.
The protests are against the changing of the original alignment of the proposed railway line. The concerns are that the original route could affect the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at Khodad in Junnar.
The original alignment is planned through: Pune â Chakan â Rajgurunagar â Manchar â Narayangaon â Alephata â Sangamner â Sinnar â Nashik
Residents and local leaders say the direct line would bring better rail connectivity to the towns along the route and boost industry, agriculture, education and employment. Tambe said the project had been pending for decades.
"The railway project was not merely a transportation issue but was directly linked to the development of Nashik, Ahilyanagar and Pune districts. For the last 25 years, we have been hearing that the Nashik-Pune railway will become a reality. Late Suresh Kalmadi had also made efforts when he was a Union minister. In recent months the project had made significant progress, but political obstacles have caused it to stall again," he said.
Tambe said land acquisition had already been carried out for the original route through Sinnar, Sangamner, Narayangaon, Rajgurunagar, Manchar and Chakan. "If the original railway route is cancelled now, the administration may ask farmers to return the compensation amount. The government has already paid nearly '500 crore for land acquisition. Changing the alignment at the tender stage is highly unreasonable and has further delayed the project," he said.
The original alignment reportedly passes near the GMRT observatory at Khodad. Authorities are examining whether railway operations could interfere with the radio telescope.
An alternative alignment is reportedly being considered through Nashik â Shirdi â Puntamba â Ahilyanagar â Chakan
Surveys for the revised route have reportedly begun, adding to the anger among residents along the original alignment.
During the Sinnar protest, Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan called Tambe and urged him to withdraw the agitation.
According to Tambe, Mahajan said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the state government were trying to find a solution acceptable to all stakeholders.
Tambe, however, insisted that the expert committee headed by senior scientist Dr Anil Kakodkar should submit its report within the stipulated 60 days, without seeking an extension.
The protesters also want the government to hold public hearings and gram sabhas in every affected taluka and village before taking a final decision.
Following the intervention and discussions with officials, the Sinnar agitation was temporarily suspended.
A separate demonstration was held at Talegaon Chowk in Chakan under the leadership of Khed MLA Babaji Kale, with leaders from different political parties joining the protest.
Police deployed heavy security and warned that the Pune-Nashik Highway would not be allowed to remain blocked.
Kale said the Rs 16,000-crore project was originally planned along the Pune-Chakan-Rajgurunagar-Manchar-Narayangaon-Alephata-Sangamner-Sinnar-Nashik route.
He said concerns over the GMRT had led the Railway Ministry to consider the alternative route through Nashik, Shirdi, Puntamba, Ahilyanagar and Chakan.
Kale alleged that the uncertainty had angered residents of Khed, Ambegaon, Junnar, Sangamner and Sinnar and criticised the Union government and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the delay.
