NCP (SP)’s Jayant Patil opposes govt’s plan to change Shaktipeeth project alignment, says it will cut through fertile farmland in Walva taluka

Kolhapur: MLA Jayant Patil of NCP (SP) opposed state govt's plan to change the alignment of the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Highway in the legislative assembly on Wednesday, saying the project was being pushed "without any need" and would cut through fertile farmland in Walva taluka."State govt is pushing ahead with the Shaktipeeth project despite there being any necessity for it. Every inch of land in Walva taluka is fertile, yet a new alignment is being planned through Walva. There are no pilgrimage sites in the area and farmers do not want the highway to cut through their fields," Patil said in the assembly.In the previous assembly session, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced that the highway alignment would be altered in Sangli district and that the new route would pass through Patil's constituency. The CM had also expressed confidence that Patil would welcome the change once the plans were drawn.The NCP (SP), however, questioned govt's narrative. "The chief minister claims that no one is opposing the Shaktipeeth project and that people from every district are demanding Shaktipeeth to go through their area. If that is true, then why is the highway's alignment being changed? I sit on the opposition benches, and now the highway is being routed through my constituency. We don't have any major pilgrimage sites, and farmers in our area will oppose giving up agricultural land (for the project)," Patil said.Patil further sharpened his criticism, referencing the governor's address that mentioned the highway. "The governor mentioned the highway project in his address. There is opposition to the project even in Marathwada, where the Nizam once fought. Farmers are protesting against the project and govt is arresting them. People are beginning to feel as though Nizam rule is returning. Why are you building this road? Why this insistence? Our fields are fertile. We worked hard to ensure water reached everywhere. We will not allow you to take this fertile land," the MLA said.In Solapur district, the revenue department issued an order on Feb 25 cautioning against any resistance to the land-mapping process in nine villages of Barshi tehsil for the highway project. The land mapping for acquisition is scheduled for Feb 26, 27 and 28 in Gaudgaon, Ratanjan, Malegaon, Ambegaon, Ambabaichiwadi, Jalabgaon, Hattij, Chinchkhopan and Shelgaon.The order prohibits unlawful gatherings, blocking of land measurement or obstructing officials during the process. It also bans groups of five or more people within village limits on the mapping days. Sub-divisional magistrate Sadashiv Padune said the order would remain effective from midnight of Feb 25 till the land-counting process concluded in Gaudgaon. "Violations will invite punitive action," Padune said.