Shaktipeeth highway being forcefully imposed: Raju Shetti

Kolhapur: “We have never opposed development, but the govt is carrying out development by arranging our funeral beds and we won’t allow this to happen in any case, alleged farmer leader and former MP Raju Shetti on Thursday while speaking at the ‘Nirdhar Sabha’ of farmers held at Shahu Smarak Bhawan in Kolhapur.Farmers from 59 villages in Kolhapur district have joined hands to oppose Nagpur- Goa Shaktipeeth Highway. Four resolutions were passed unanimously at the meeting that not even an inch will be given for the highway from 12 districts of Maharashtra. Agricultural policy for farmers as per vision of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj should be implemented and not that of Maharashtra govt. White paper should be issued, informing details about previous roads. The existing highways should be widened or Vande Bharat train should be started between Nagpur-Goa, but no new highway will be allowed to be constructed, the farmers said.Addressing the farmers, former MP Raju Shetti said, “This road will pass parallel to the existing Nagpur-Ratnagiri National highway. At several places, the distance between both the highways will be only 1 to 2km from each other. Why this Shaktipeeth highway being forcefully introduced, when there is no demand for the same.”People from Kolhapur and Sangli district face floods during the monsoon. If filler-type barrages are constructed for this highway, then the flood situation in both the districts will further worsen. This is not only about farmers but all people who will get affected due to this highway,” added Shetti.While MLC Satej Patil said, “The Shaktipeeth highway was announced in 2022. Assessment and survey were conducted in 2023 and in February 2024, the notification regarding land acquisition was issued by the govt. Instead of wasting money on building Shaktipeeth highway, the govt should spend funds on creating basic facilities at pilgrim centres.”Adv. Hiralal Pardeshi, state president of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha said, “Land Acquisition Act 2014, which requires NOC of gram panchayats and 90 percent approval of the project affected people has been sidelined for the Shaktipeeth highway and now the govt will acquire land under Land Acquisition Act, 1955, which is of no benefit to farmers. We all should unitedly fight till the project is cancelled.”Social activist Dr. Bharat Patankar of Shramik Mukti Dal said, “Farmers will be affected due to the highway. No matter whom you support in the upcoming elections, you have to unite and oppose this road.”Girish Phonde, state council secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha, said, “The 805 km-long proposed Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth highway will pass through 12 districts of Maharashtra and Rs 87,500 crore is expected to be released for this project. The government is giving ‘Shakti’ to contractors in the name of Shaktipeeth highway. This road will pass through eco-sensitive zones and destroy biodiversity.”
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