Farmers Stage Dramatic Protests Against Nagpur-Goa Expressway Land Survey in Latur
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A tense situation unfolded in Morwad village of Renapur taluka in Latur district on Tuesday as a group of farmers staged vehement protests against a land survey for the proposed Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway. The demonstration escalated dramatically, with some farmers climbing trees and threatening to hang themselves, while others attempted to jump into a well to voice their opposition to the infrastructure project.
Escalation and Police Deployment
The situation intensified soon after government officials entered the village to conduct the survey. Farmers from Morwad and neighboring villages quickly surrounded the team, demanding their immediate departure. A heavy police presence was deployed to manage the volatile scenario, but the villagers intensified their protest, ultimately forcing the officials to withdraw as anger over the land acquisition process grew.
Farmers' Demands and Livelihood Concerns
"Either the Shaktipeeth Expressway should be cancelled or its alignment must be altered. The route has already been modified in other parts of the state, but only Marathwada's farmers are being forced to surrender their land," stated farmer Dilip Kulkarni, highlighting a perceived regional disparity.
A section of farmers expressed deep concerns about losing their agricultural land, which they argue would destroy their livelihoods entirely. "The expressway will also disrupt local irrigation systems. Once built, it will cause waterlogging across many fields," explained another farmer, Sudhir Khursale. Additionally, some protesters voiced dissatisfaction with the compensation proposed for their land, claiming it does not reflect current market rates.
Official Response and Compensation Framework
Sub-divisional officer Avinash Korde clarified that not all landowners opposed the project. "We were surveying only those plots whose owners had agreed to give their land. Farmers from Morwad and nearby villages, however, gathered in large numbers to protest," he said.
Korde emphasized that compensation was being calculated strictly as per the provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956. "A group of farmers believes the amount undervalues their land compared to the market rate. We have held several rounds of discussions and will continue engaging with them to address their grievances," he assured, indicating ongoing dialogue.
Project Overview and Regional Impact
The proposed 802-kilometer, six-lane, access-controlled Shaktipeeth Expressway is a major infrastructure initiative designed to traverse 12 districts across Maharashtra. Notably, six of these districts are located within the Marathwada region, making the land acquisition process particularly sensitive in this agriculturally dependent area. The protests underscore the complex challenges of balancing developmental projects with the rights and welfare of local farming communities.
