Commuters Stranded from Khalghat To Gwalior in Blazing As Cong Protest Against Alleged Neglect of Farmers in MP

Bhopal/ Indore:

Traffic was severely disrupted across the state on Thursday as Congress workers staged a massive “Chakka Jam” (road blockade) to protest against the government’s alleged neglect of farmers’ issues. The protest spanned nearly 580 kilometers along the Agra-Mumbai National Highway, affecting seven major locations from Khalghat to Morena.

The stretch of road between Gwalior and Morena remained disrupted for about four hours with Congress leaders from the region protesting along with hundreds of party workers, farmers and youth wing workers. Senior party leaders including LOP Dr Govind Singh, MP (RS) Ashok Singh, MLA Hemant Katare, CWC member Kamleshwar Patel took to streets near Banmore in Morena along with thousands of workers from Morena, Gwalior, Datia and Sheopur for the chakka jam.

The blockade, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, left thousands of passengers stranded in 42°C heat. In Mhow and Indore, vehicles were backed up for over two kilometers. Many passengers traveling toward Maharashtra reported being stuck for over three hours. While Congress leaders, including State President Jitu Patwari, claimed they provided passage for emergency vehicles, reports indicated that some ambulances were forced to divert their routes in Mhow due to the congestion.

With the highway paralyzed, students and passengers were seen walking long distances to reach their destinations in Mhow. Police units were deployed at various points to implement the route diversions finalized a day prior, but the sheer volume of vehicles led to significant delays.

At Khalghat, heavy vehicles arriving from Maharashtra were parked at roadside eateries (dhaba) near Sendhwa and RTO barriers to prevent further gridlock. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar addressed farmers here, accusing the state government of ignoring local agricultural crises.

In Shajapur at the Rozwas toll plaza, a heated exchange occurred between police and protesters over the removal of tractors used to block the road. While Congress staged its protest, local BJP MLA Arun Bhimavad was seen distributing water to stranded commuters, labelling the protest a “political stunt.” Congress President Jitu Patwari, who participated in the protest at Rozwas toll plaza, said that the movement was a necessary step to highlight the plight of wheat and soybean farmers.

Traffic was gradually restored late Thursday afternoon after the protesters vacated the highway.

In Khargone, the opposition Congress party staged a major road blockade on the Agra–Mumbai National Highway at Khalghat area, demanding action on several farmers’ issues, causing traffic disruption for nearly three hours. The protest witnessed participation from a large number of farmers, Congress workers, and party leaders from Khargone, Dhar, and Barwani districts.

Demonstrators carried baskets filled with wheat and onions to symbolize the plight of farmers and accused the state government of failing to provide fair prices for crops.

Amid intense heat, with temperatures touching nearly 41 degrees Celsius, Dharampuri former MLA Panchilal Meda and Dhar district Congress women’s wing president Preeti Maheshwari fell ill during the protest. A medical team deployed at the site provided primary treatment before both leaders were shifted to Dhamnod Hospital by ambulance.

Dr. Som Jaiswal of the Congress Medical Cell said that both leaders suffered from low blood pressure, which led to hypertension-related complications and dizziness, causing them to lose consciousness.

After receiving primary treatment, they were admitted to a hospital in Dhamnod for further medical care, he added.

As speeches continued under the scorching sun, protesting farmers demanded that senior leaders join them directly on the highway. Following this, senior Congress leaders sat on the road around 1 pm and intensified the agitation. The protest ended around 3 pm after Dhar Collector Rajiv Ranjan Meena and SP Sachin Sharma reached the spot and accepted a memorandum submitted by Congress leaders regarding farmers’ demands. Traffic movement on the highway resumed soon after.

Authorities remained on high alert throughout the agitation. Police forces from Dhar, Khargone, and Barwani districts were deployed, while teams from the revenue, health, and electricity departments also remained present at the site.

To avoid congestion, the administration diverted vehicles through alternate routes. Traffic coming from Indore was redirected via Kakarda Chowki, Gujri, Maheshwar, and Kasrawad, while vehicles arriving from Maharashtra were diverted through Khalghat, Dharampuri, Bamanpuri, and Palas Chowk.

Ahead of the agitation, SP (Morena) Dharamraj Meena had warned that police would take strict action if protesters caused inconvenience to commuters or any untoward incident occurred during the blockade. Heavy police deployment was made along the highway.
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