Farmers obstruct MSEDCL workers surveying light poles in way of Shaktipeeth highway work

Kolhapur: Demonstrating the rising opposition from farmers to the Nagpur-Goa Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway passing through the district, two MSEDCL workers — who were surveying light poles obstructing the proposed highway — were blocked by farmers in Khebavde village of Karvir tehsil on Sunday.Thereafter, senior officials of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) went to the spot and assured farmers that they would stop the survey.The power utility's staff have been tasked with surveying 17km of the stretch daily, wherever electricity poles might obstruct road construction.The latest incident took place late on Sunday afternoon, when the farmers saw the two MSEDCL workers surveying electricity poles from Khebavde to Kenawde village (in Kagal tehsil) using an online map.When questioned by the farmers, the duo said the poles would block Shaktipeeth highway work, and they were collecting information regarding such obstructions.On hearing this, the farmers reportedly took an aggressive stance and obstructed the staffers. Farmers from villages like Sidhannerli, Vhanali, Kenawde and more gathered and bombarded the MSEDCL staffers with questions. Finally, senior MSEDCL officials had to go over to pacify them.A farmer from Khebavde, Srikanth Chavan, told TOI, "How can a survey be conducted when there is a notification to cancel the Shaktipeeth highway passing via Kolhapur district? Who has asked MSEDCL to conduct such a survey? We won't let the highway pass through our land under any condition."