Farmers at Nandore in Pandharpur taluka confront officials during a land survey for the proposed Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway on Monday.
The proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway is slated to pass through 34 villages in Solapur district, covering areas in Barshi, Madha, Pandharpur and Malshiras talukas. An official involved in the survey said opposition was not being reported everywhere and the administration was holding talks with farmers wherever objections had been raised. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news.
They said the project would take away farmland and threaten their livelihoods. We will show him the efforts required to cultivate this land,” farmer Sudhakar Shinde said. We never wanted this road,” he said. Shinde said govt should instead spend the money on drought relief and basic amenities. “Instead of spending Rs 1 lakh crore on the project, govt should use the money to provide relief to drought-hit farmers and improve basic facilities,” he said. The process will be implemented transparently, and farmers are requested to cooperate,” the official said.
Some farmers poured petrol on themselves, while others climbed an electricity pole as officials arrived to conduct the survey. A large police force was deployed and a scuffle broke out between protesters and police personnel. The farmers raised slogans demanding that state govt scrap the expressway. “Ask chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to come here for the land survey. “We do not even have enough water to drink, yet govt wants to acquire our farmland for an expressway. We will not give even an inch of land for this unnecessary project. As the protest intensified, survey officials left Nandore without completing the land measurement. “The administration will provide landholders with clear information regarding joint measurements, land demarcation, acquisition notifications and subsequent compensation. Download the TOI App.
Kolhapur: Farmers opposing the proposed Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway forced officials to abandon a land survey at Nandore village in Pandharpur taluka on Monday after a tense protest over the acquisition of agricultural land.