Farmers Rally Against Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Highway Project in Maharashtra
Farmers from Ajara tehsil in Kolhapur district held a significant public meeting on Wednesday to voice strong opposition to the proposed new alignment of the Nagpur-Goa Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway project. The gathering saw participation from prominent political figures and agricultural leaders, highlighting widespread discontent among the local farming community.
Political and Community Leaders Join Protest
MLC Satej Patil, former MP Raju Shetti, former MLA Rajesh Patil, and Girish Phonde, convenor of the Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, were among the key attendees at the rally. In his address, Satej Patil emphasized the farmers' determination to fight until the project is scrapped, labeling it as unnecessary and driven by contractor interests rather than public need. He pointed out that alternative routes are available, making this highway redundant and harmful to agricultural lands.
Other notable figures present included Mukunddada Desai, chairman of Ajra Bank, Sudhir Desai, director of Kolhapur District Cooperative Bank, Anjanatai Redkar, director of Gokul, and various activists and farmers. Their presence underscored the broad-based support for the protest movement.
Concerns Over Agriculture, Culture, and Environment
Tanaji Desai, district vice-president of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, criticized the government's approach, accusing it of implementing policies that destroy farmers. He stressed the duty to preserve ancestral lands and warned that the highway would not only devastate agriculture but also erode local culture. Desai highlighted potential serious environmental problems arising from the project, including damage to ecosystems and water resources.
Farmers from Panhala in Kolhapur and Walva tehsil in Sangli district have also begun organizing meetings to oppose the project, as the new alignment is likely to pass through these areas. They expressed fears that small-scale farmers would be disproportionately affected, with many facing the risk of becoming landless due to the highway's route through fertile plains.
Impact on Local Communities and Infrastructure
Vilasrao Patil, director of the Rajarambapu Patil Milk Association, voiced grave concerns about the project's impact on the Walva region. He noted that hundreds of farmers are on the verge of losing their land as the highway cuts through fertile agricultural zones. Beyond land destruction, Patil warned that wells and irrigated areas would be severely compromised, threatening the livelihoods of countless families dependent on farming.
The protests reflect a growing movement against infrastructure projects perceived as detrimental to rural communities. Farmers argue that the Shaktipeeth Highway, while promoted as a development initiative, prioritizes contractor benefits over the welfare of local residents and the preservation of agricultural heritage.
