Farmers oppose the new alignment of Shaktipeeth

Kolhapur: Farmers from Ajara tehsil on Wednesday organised a public meeting to oppose the new alignment of the Nagpur-Goa Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway project.MLC Satej Patil, former MP Raju Shetti, former MLA Rajesh Patil, Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti convenor Girish Phonde, and other farmers attended the meeting.Addressing the rally, Satej Patil said, "Farmers have taken a vow to fight until the unnecessary Shaktipeeth project is scrapped. Given the fierce opposition from the farming community, govt must cancel this project. There is no need for this project, launched for the benefit of contractors, when there are alternative routes available."Ajra Bank, chairman Mukunddada Desai, Kolhapur District Cooperative Bank director Sudhir Desai, Gokul director Anjanatai Redkar and other activists and farmers were present.District vice-president of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana Tanaji Desai said, "Govt is implementing a policy of destroying the farmers. It is our duty to preserve our ancestral lands. This highway is going to destroy culture along with agriculture. A serious environmental problem is going to arise."Meanwhile, farmers from Panhala in Kolhapur and Walva tehsil in Sangli — through which, as per the new alignment, the Shaktipeeth Highway is likely to pass — have also started conducting meetings to oppose the project.Farmers alleged that those holding small farm areas will be devastated by the project. Vilasrao Patil, director, Rajarambapu Patil Milk Association, said, "Hundreds of farmers are on the verge of becoming landless as the highway passes through the fertile plains of Walva region. This highway will not only destroy land but also the wells and irrigated areas."