Mumbai-Bengaluru NH-48 Traffic Alert: Amid ongoing protests at the Kognoli toll plaza in Karnataka, traffic on the Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway 48 (NH-48) was affected on Wednesday morning. Consequently, the Maharashtra Highway Police diverted vehicles to alternate routes that were heading toward Belagavi and Bengaluru. The protests at the toll plaza are being held over demands relating to sugarcane prices, increased ethanol prices, and other related issues.

Why Is NH-48 a Key Interstate Corridor?

The National Highway-48 is a key interstate corridor as it connects Mumbai and Pune with Bengaluru and several industrial areas in South India. The route witnesses a good amount of passenger and goods traffic. Given the fact, the traffic disruption has impacted motorists, bus commuters and transport operators travelling to Karnataka, according to police.

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Alternate Routes

The Maharashtra Highway Police issued an advisory today, in which it mentioned some alternate routes. It also stated that there hasn't been any change in the situation since Tuesday evening. Motorists travelling from Mumbai towards Bengaluru via NH-48 have been advised to avoid NH-48 until further notice. Instead, use alternate routes via Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts.

In collaboration with the Pune Rural, Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur district police, the Maharashtra Highway Police's Pune Range is carrying out the diversions.

Alternate Routes For Passengers and Goods

For passengers and goods, two alternate routes have been advised.

- Firstly, via Satara, Rahimatpur, Pusesawali, Nevri, Vita, Tasgaon, Miraj, Kagwad, Raibag and Gokak before reaching Belagavi.

- Secondly, via Satara, Karad, Peth Naka, Islampur, Ashta, Miraj, Kagwad, Raibag and Gokak before reaching Belagavi.

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However, the police clarified that travel within Maharashtra remained unaffected as there is no traffic obstruction within the state's jurisdiction.

According to the highway police, updates regarding traffic would be issued at regular intervals until the protest concludes and traffic on the NH-48 is fully restored.