Show same concern for rain-hit farmers as traffic jams: Onion growers tell Maharashtra government
The Maharashtra State Onion Growers' Association has criticized the state government for prioritizing urban traffic issues over the plight of farmers affected by natural disasters. They argue that agricultural losses deserve the same level of urgent administrative attention as infrastructure disruptions.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing tension between urban infrastructure priorities and the economic struggles of the agricultural sector in India.
An onion-growers' body on Saturday (July 11, 2026) urged the Maharashtra government to show the same urgency for rain-affected farmers as it does for traffic disruptions such as the recent Mumbai-Pune expressway landslide.
Maharashtra State Onion Growers' Association president Bharat Dighole stated that while inconvenience caused to commuters during heavy rains got immediate attention, the financial losses suffered by farmers due to recurring natural calamities and crashing crop prices are rarely met with equal concern.
"When traffic comes to a standstill in cities for a few hours, the entire State's attention is drawn to it. But when excessive rains, hailstorms, unseasonal showers, floods or drought destroy farmers' crops, the same amount of concern is rarely seen," Mr. Dighole noted in a statement.
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