Maharashtra: Protests and sit-ins to highlight the hardships of common people are one thing. But risking one’s life, walking hundreds of kilometres while counting every pothole and documenting every dangerous stretch is something else altogether. This is exactly what young engineer Chaitanya Patil from Raigad did.

The Reason Behind the Protest

The Mumbai–Goa Highway (NH-66) is a crucial lifeline connecting Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. However, for the past decade, its construction has remained incomplete. Countless potholes, half-built bridges, and lack of lighting at night have turned this highway into a hotspot for fatal accidents. Travelling on this road has become nothing short of a “battle with death.”

Frustrated with official negligence, Chaitanya decided not to stop at complaints alone. He chose to personally audit the road conditions on the ground.

A 29-Day Journey of Courage

In August 2025, amid heavy monsoon rains, Chaitanya began his “Rasta Satyagraha.”

Distance: 490 kilometres

Duration: 29 days of continuous walking

Method: Not just walking, but working like a professional engineer—documenting every dangerous curve, incomplete bridge, and pothole using geo-tagging (GPS).

Ground-Level Research – Key Findings

During his journey, Chaitanya identified around 59 extremely dangerous black spots. The major issues highlighted in his report include:

Incomplete Bridges: Massive pillars left unfinished have led to traffic diversions, increasing accident risks.

Waterlogging: Poor drainage causes rainwater to stagnate on roads, damaging the surface.

Pathetic Service Roads: Alternative service roads, meant to be used during construction, are in an unusable condition.

Collection of Debris: One of the most striking aspects—Chaitanya didn’t just take photographs. He physically collected iron scraps, broken glass pieces, and substandard construction material from the road as evidence.

Report Submitted to Nitin Gadkari

After completing his foot march, Chaitanya prepared a comprehensive technical report and sent it to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari through a local MP.

Demands: Fix accountability of contractors, undertake immediate repairs, and take action against responsible officials.

Impact: Since the report is data-driven and evidence-based, there is a strong possibility that the central government will take the issue seriously.

A Symbol of Civic Awareness

“Criticising governments for not working is easy, but real change comes only when flaws are shown with evidence,” Chaitanya proved through his actions. His journey received massive attention on social media, with thousands of netizens hailing him as a ‘Road Safety Hero.’