Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Solapur’s guardian minister Jaykumar Gore in Mumbai recently
Fadnavis Promises Support for Farmers Affected by Power Infrastructure Project
Pune: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has pledged to find a resolution for farmers impacted by the proposed gas-insulated substation (GIS) in Bhongavali village, located in Bhor taluka. This initiative is part of the Centre’s ‘Green Corridor’ project, which also includes the construction of a 765 kilovolt (kV) transmission line. Fadnavis’s commitment aims to address the concerns of local farmers regarding the project’s implications on their livelihoods.
Energy Minister of State (MoS) Meghana Bordikar had responded that since 2022, Maharashtra has revised its policy to provide compensation for land under transmission towers based on either the ready reckoner (RR) rate or the rate derived from transactions in the preceding three years, whichever was higher.
She said the farmers could till the land at places where underground transmission lines have been laid.
Farmers Protest Leads to Government Engagement on Tower Locations
Farmers staged a rasta roko agitation on Sunday along the Pune-Satara highway, opposing the proposed tower project. Sangram Thopte, the protest leader, noted that while the government has recognized the farmers’ concerns, discussions are ongoing with officials from the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd (MSETCL) regarding alternative locations for the tower installations.
Substation projects were underway in other talukas of Pune district as well,” CM said, adding that around 40% of the project work was complete. He said the transmission line would pass through 42 villages within his constituency and that the compensation offered by the govt was meagre.
“We would be meeting with officials next week regarding the issue of alternative locations,” he said on Friday. “Electricity demand has been rising sharply in an industrial district like Pune, and if necessary substations were not constructed, a severe power shortage could be imminent in the future. NCP MLA Sunil Shelke had raised the issue of land acquisition of farmers during the assembly session in July. He added that the adequate compensation should be provided, as the land would not remain tillable and farmers would lose future income.