State cabinet gives nod for funding Shaktipeeth highway

Kolhapur: Maharashtra cabinet approved a provision of Rs 20,787 crore on Tuesday to expedite the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway (high-speed expressway) project, eliciting immediate opposition from Congress politicians and farmers' groups. Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde assured that the project would proceed with the consent of farmers and local residents.Farmers in certain regions of the state strongly opposed the proposed route due to the requirement to acquire fertile land. The 802.6 km highway is set to connect 12 districts, extending from Pawanar in Wardha district to Patra Devi in Sindhudurg district. Upon completion, the highway is anticipated to reduce travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 hours to eight hours.Following the meeting, deputy CM Eknath Shinde told the media, "Shaktipeeth highway will connect Konkan, western Maharashtra, with the districts of Marathwada and Vidarbha. There is opposition to the highway at a few places, where the land is fertile and people have smaller land holdings. I want to assure that people opposing the highway will be taken into confidence. They will be presented with three to four options. A solution will be worked out as this highway will boost development."Govt authorities stated that a loan of Rs 12,000 crore had been approved by Hudco for land acquisition related to the project, encompassing approximately 7,500 hectares. The Maharashtra Road Development Corporation will implement the entire project.Shinde mentioned that similar opposition had initially been faced by the Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg, which connects Mumbai with Nagpur. "Farmers got a good compensation amount. The road that has been built has brought development along the route. Shaktipeeth highway will also be made with the consent of farmers and people."Congress MLC Satej Patil said govt's decision would incite further opposition to the highway. "Shaktipeeth highway is being forcefully imposed on people. Give the Rs 20,000 crore to fill potholes on the existing road. The farmers opposing the land mapping of the Shaktipeeth highway at Dharashiv were arrested."Farmers' leader and former MP Raju Shetti said, "Farmers from all 12 districts will oppose this project strongly. Govt is allotting Rs 86,000 crore for a road that can be constructed in Rs 30,000 crore."Kolhapur: Maharashtra cabinet approved a provision of Rs 20,787 crore on Tuesday to expedite the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway (high-speed expressway) project, eliciting immediate opposition from Congress politicians and farmers' groups. Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde assured that the project would proceed with the consent of farmers and local residents.Farmers in certain regions of the state strongly opposed the proposed route due to the requirement to acquire fertile land. The 802.6 km highway is set to connect 12 districts, extending from Pawanar in Wardha district to Patra Devi in Sindhudurg district. Upon completion, the highway is anticipated to reduce travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 hours to eight hours.Following the meeting, deputy CM Eknath Shinde told the media, "Shaktipeeth highway will connect Konkan, western Maharashtra, with the districts of Marathwada and Vidarbha. There is opposition to the highway at a few places, where the land is fertile and people have smaller land holdings. I want to assure that people opposing the highway will be taken into confidence. They will be presented with three to four options. A solution will be worked out as this highway will boost development."Govt authorities stated that a loan of Rs 12,000 crore had been approved by Hudco for land acquisition related to the project, encompassing approximately 7,500 hectares. The Maharashtra Road Development Corporation will implement the entire project.Shinde mentioned that similar opposition had initially been faced by the Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg, which connects Mumbai with Nagpur. "Farmers got a good compensation amount. The road that has been built has brought development along the route. Shaktipeeth highway will also be made with the consent of farmers and people."Congress MLC Satej Patil said govt's decision would incite further opposition to the highway. "Shaktipeeth highway is being forcefully imposed on people. Give the Rs 20,000 crore to fill potholes on the existing road. The farmers opposing the land mapping of the Shaktipeeth highway at Dharashiv were arrested."Farmers' leader and former MP Raju Shetti said, "Farmers from all 12 districts will oppose this project strongly. Govt is allotting Rs 86,000 crore for a road that can be constructed in Rs 30,000 crore."