On Monday, activists in Kolhapur demonstrated against the Nagpur-Goa Maharashtra Shaktipeeth expressway by gathering outside the district collector’s office. They burned copies of land survey notices that had been sent to farmers affected by the project in Kolhapur district. This protest highlights growing tensions surrounding land acquisition for infrastructure development in the region.
“Govt should answer how survey dates were being directly announced on the ‘Chavdi’ portal when no hearings regarding objections had taken place and farmers remained opposed to the highway project,” said Girish Phonde, state coordinator of the samiti.
Addressing protesters after the burning of notices, Phonde said, “Issuing land survey notices despite the ongoing protests, massive farmer rallies, and objections already filed against the notification, is a sign of authoritarianism. Some farmers also met medical education minister Hasan Mushrif, reminding him of his pre-election statement that the project would be scrapped. Mushrif assured them he would convey the public sentiment to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Farmers have every right to protect their land, exercising the fundamental right to property granted by the Constitution, and we will assert this right in every village. Issuing these survey notices is a tactic by Fadnavis to ‘test the water’s depth’. ”
Opposition to Expressway Project Grows
Vijay Devane, the district convenor for Shiv Sena (UBT), has raised concerns regarding the proposed expressway, stating that opposition transcends political affiliations. He emphasized that the project primarily serves contractors’ interests, warning against the potential sacrifice of farmers. Devane argued that the highway’s proposed alignment threatens to destroy fertile farmland and increase flooding risks in the area.