Shaktipeeth Expressway: Maharashtra’s Azad Maidan witnessed protests by farmers from 12 districts on Wednesday. Farmers from Vidarbha, Marathwada and western Maharashtra gathered to protest against Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth expressway. They stated that they won’t allow the survey of their land for acquisition for the proposed project. Amid the protests, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the state legislative council that the government is adamant on taking the project ahead. However, he stated they will take into consideration grievances of farmers.
Why Are Farmers Protesting?
Farmers have called it a move to protect their fertile lands. They said that they would continue to fight, regardless of whether political leaders support them or not. Notably, ever since the Shaktipeeth expressway was announced in March 2023, the farmers of the 12 districts through which it will pass have been opposing it. They refused to give their land for the Shaktipeeth expressway project.
Meanwhile, LoP, Ambadas Danve stated that the state government should consider the feelings of farmers who are opposing the project. Adding to it, Congress MLC Satej Patil asserted that there is no need of a new road on the same route as Nagpur-Ratnagiri highway already exists and farmers have given their land for it. He said that the construction of the Shaktipeeth expressway would be a waste of money and fertile land.
CM Fadnavis also informed that over 1,000 farmers have given their written consent for the project and termed it as a ‘game-changer.’
“Samruddhi expressway changed the economy, and similarly, Shaktipeeth will change the life of the people in the 12 districts through which the expressway will pass, by enhancing connectivity to ports, airports and other parts of the state,” Fadnavis said.
About Shaktipeeth Expressway
The Shaktipeeth expressway was announced in March 2023. It is an approved 802 km long, six-lane access-controlled expressway. The expressway will connect Nagpur with Goa by passing through 12 districts of Maharashtra and one of Goa. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will operate and look after the maintenance of expressway. The Shaktipeeth expressway will significantly reduce the travel time and distance by 18–20 hours to only 7–8 hours. It will benefit commuters of both the states.
The expressway has been named ‘Shaktipeeth’ as it will pass through three Shakti Peethas which are Mahalakshmi, Tuljabhavani, and Patradevi. It is poised to become largest highway of Maharashtra.
The expressway will start from Pavnar in Wardha district and end at Patradevi in North Goa district. It will also be linked to Mumbai–Nagpur Expressway.
In Maharashtra it will cover Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Latur, Beed, osmanabad, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg districts and Patradevi in Goa.
