- विज्ञापन -
Mumbai: A large group of farmers from 12 districts affected by the Rs 86,300 crore Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Highway project gathered in Mumbai on Wednesday to voice their opposition to the scheme.
The farmers unanimously declared that they would not allow officials to enter for land measurement necessary for acquisition. Farmers from Kolhapur, Solapur, Sangli, Sindhudurg, Yavatmal, Wardha, Beed, Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Dharashiv, and Latur districts protested, calling for the cancellation of the Shaktipeeth Highway project. The protest received widespread support, including from farmer organizations, legislators, and members of both opposition and ruling parties.
NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil criticized the government, stating, “This road is being built without any request from farmers. The government is using this project to raise party funds and benefit contractors, placing the burden on us.” Congress MLC Satej Patil echoed this sentiment, arguing, “This highway is for contractors, not the people, and the government is only serving their interests.”
Farmer leader and former MP Raju Shetti pointed out that a parallel road from Nagpur to Ratnagiri already exists but remains underutilized and unprofitable. He highlighted the high cost of the Shaktipeeth Road project, noting that each kilometer costs Rs 107 crore, compared to Rs 35 crore for other roads, and warned that this would increase the state’s debt burden.
Ambadas Danve, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, criticized Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not fulfilling his promise to abolish the Shaktipeeth project, referencing a past speech where Shinde vowed to do so.
To intensify their opposition, farmers have planned a gathering in Latur on April 8, along with district-level protests, house-to-house marches, and the display of black flags in fields to demand answers from local representatives and ministers.
This protest comes just days after Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar stated in his budget speech that the land acquisition process for the 760 km Shaktipeeth Highway is underway.
Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, from Kolhapur, where opposition to the project is strong, assured that the government remains open to addressing the concerns of farmers and is offering higher compensation to those affected by the land acquisition.
