Highway project: Farmers demand cancellation of Shaktipeeth highway project in Kolhapur

Kolhapur: An all-party protest rally was taken out in front of the Kolhapur district collectorate on Tuesday demanding cancellation of the 802-km-long Shaktipeeth Expressway project. A large number of people, including farmers, from Kolhapur and Sangli districts took part in the rally. to protest against the highway for which 8,000 hectares of land will be acquired to connect pilgrimage destinations in 12 districts of Maharashtra. Recently, a land acquisition notification was issued for the second time by the state government for the highway which is expected to be constructed with a budget of around Rs 86,000 crore. The protest rally began at Dasara Chowk and culminated in front of the collectors’ office. MLC Satej Patil, addressing the protesters, said, “Around 89% of farmers in the district have less than 2 acres of agricultural land in their name. If this also applies to the road, how will they survive? This road is imposed on people only for the benefit of entrepreneurs and those who have taken electoral deposits. No one had asked for this route, if anyone needs to reach Goa from Nagpur quickly, then they can take a flight. We will take an oath that no road or land records official will be allowed to enter our agricultural lands. He added, “The flame of opposition to this project has been lit in Kolhapur and will soon turn into a wildfire in all 12 districts. The government should cancel this highway notification before June 12, failing which we will resort to ‘Roko Highway’. We will protest in such a way that it will not be affordable to the state government. » Farmer leader and former MP Raju Shetti, who was also present, said, “This road is being imposed on all 12 districts of Maharashtra. The existing Nagpur-Ratnagiri national highway has no traffic flow, so why is there a need to construct another road parallel to the existing national highway. No devotee had asked for the Shaktipeeth highway. The Samruddhi Expressway has given a lot of money to a few people in the government through which they are again imposing another highway for their own benefit and that of the entrepreneurs. This highway will further increase the severity of floods in Kolhapur and Sangli districts. » Meanwhile, Shramik Mukti Dal leader Dr Bharat Patankar said, “We will not allow anyone to enter our farmlands. If the government does not listen to us, we will ensure that the bail amount of the chief minister and deputy chief minister for the upcoming state assembly elections is seized. » Shiv Sena (UBT) district in-charge Vijay Dewane said, “This highway has led to the defeat of 12 MLAs and if this highway is not cancelled, more than 72 MLAs from the state will be defeated in of the next legislative elections. Maharashtra has a tradition of ‘vari’ in which devotees walk to Pandharpur. When it comes to devotion, the condition of the roads doesn’t matter. » MP Shahu Chhatrapati, MPs Jayashri Jadhav, Ruturaj Patil, Raju Awale, former MPs KP Patil, Sanjay Ghatge, Sena deputy leader (UBT) Sanjay Pawar, former mayor RK Powar, Shaktipeeth coordinator Girish Phonde Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti and other public representatives were also present for the rally. A delegation of protesters met Guardian Minister Hasan Mushrif and Collector Amol Yedge. They also submitted a written statement demanding the cancellation of the Shaktipeeth Expressway. Mushrif, while addressing the delegation, said, “I will present this request to CM Eknath Shinde and Dy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis. »