Published Oct 14, 2026 | 2:27 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 14, 2026 | 2:27 PM
K’taka sugarcane farmers continue NH-48 blockade. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Sugarcane farmers demanding ₹5,500 a tonne blocked National Highway 48 at Kognoli toll plaza on the Karnataka–Maharashtra border for a second day on Wednesday, disrupting traffic between the two States. Police advised motorists travelling between Pune, Kolhapur and Karnataka to avoid the highway and take alternative routes through Satara, Miraj and Gokak. Farmers’ leader Chunappa Pujeri said talks with Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan had produced no concrete decision on cane prices; the farmers are also seeking a minimum sugar price of ₹60 a kg.
Traffic on National Highway 48 remained disrupted for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, 14 October, as sugarcane farmers continued their blockade at Kognoli toll plaza on the Karnataka–Maharashtra border, demanding ₹5,500 a tonne for sugarcane.
A Belagavi district police officer told South First that the blockade was affecting vehicle movement between the two States. Farmers had also blocked highways at Hirebagewadi and Hattargi in Belagavi district on Tuesday.
Kolhapur Range Inspector General of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma advised motorists travelling between Pune, Kolhapur and Karnataka to avoid NH-48 until the protests end.
“Farmers’ organisations have been protesting at several toll plazas in Karnataka since this morning, leading to traffic congestion at some locations along NH-48. The situation may continue for some time. I appeal to motorists travelling between Pune, Kolhapur and Karnataka to avoid NH-48 until conditions improve,” Sharma said in a video posted on X.
Police advised motorists undertaking essential travel to use either the Satara–Rahimatpur–Vita–Tasgaon–Miraj–Gokak–Belagavi route or the Satara–Karad–Islampur–Ashta–Miraj–Gokak–Belagavi route. Sharma said traffic and local police were making arrangements along both routes and urged motorists to avoid the affected areas unless necessary.
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The farmers are also demanding a minimum selling price of ₹60 a kg for sugar, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and government procurement of ethanol produced in Karnataka.
The protests intensified after a meeting between farmer representatives and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi on Monday, 12 October. The Centre said a high-level joint committee would be constituted within a week to examine grievances over sugarcane recovery rates, weighing discrepancies, wastage deductions and other issues.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader Chunappa Pujeri called the meeting unsuccessful, saying farmers had received no concrete decision on their pricing demands. Joshi described the discussions as constructive and urged farmers to stop blocking roads.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also met Joshi in New Delhi on Monday night to discuss farmers’ grievances.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
