Amid the ongoing Budget session in Maharashtra, thousands of farmers from 12 districts marched to Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Wednesday (March 12, 2025) opposing the Shaktipeeth Expressway, a pet project of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Farmers’ representative and former MP Raju Shetti accused the government of corruption involved in the ₹86,000 crore project, asking “if the project is about connecting the temples of Maharashtra, then why the road is being taken to Goa.”
“According to my study based on the information from the government offices, I calculated that one kilometre of the proposed six-lane road costs ₹35 crore, but the government has estimated ₹107 crore. We want to ask for whom the above ₹70 crore is for?” questioned Mr. Shetti, while speaking to farmers during the demonstration in Azad Maidan.
The proposed Nagpur to Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway project, approved in 2023, has created a stir among the farmers across the State as the project entails acquiring land from farmers in several districts passing between Nagpur and Goa. The project requires a total land of 9,385 hectares, including 265 hectares of forest land. The permission for a joint survey of land acquisition has been given and counting will start soon in 11 districts, except Kolhapur.
A group of women from Shiroli taluka in Kolhapur district took the journey of eight hours to raise their voice and share the fear of losing their homes. “Whatever we have earned and saved our entire life will be lost,” Jyotiananda Kamble (39). Ms. Kamble lives with her family in gairan (pasture land) of her village. She constructed the house using all her savings and has been living here for the last 35 years. “The government promised of giving the ownership of land, but they did not and now plan to make us homeless,” she added.
At least 200 to 300 families are facing a similar situation.
No land, no livelihood
“The project wants to acquire 1.5 acre owned by me. I will be landless if they take away the land,” says Dhuleshwar Nheri (36), who travelled over 380 kilometres from Hatkanagale taluka to reach Mumbai and participate in the demonstration. His family owns three acres, Mr. Dhuleshwar’s share of land will be acquired if the project is implemented. He also mentioned that compensation is not promising, besides, it won’t suffice the needs of his children in future.
Opposition leaders, including NCP(SP) legislator Jayant Patil, and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, also joined the protest. Mr. Patil raised concerns over people’s livelihoods, which are dependent on the land. “We are not against development, but what if farmers have no other source of income besides this land? A chain is created wherein tenders are given to certain contractors and take those tenders seriously. We are so caught up in Hindutva, that we forget that Shaktipeeth is passing through our bodies.”
‘Compensation is a lie’
Raju Shetti also warned farmers that the Devendra Fadnavis-led government is spewing lies that farmers will get huge compensation for their land. “Farmers having dry farms are informed of paying ₹2 crore for one acre. Farmers or other villagers feel if the Shaktipeeth [highway] passes through the land will be benefited. This is all a lie,” said Mr. Shetti, adding that the government has used the State Highways Act, of 1955 to build the highway in Maharashtra based on the British Land Acquisition Act of 1894, which empowers them to confiscate land once marked and measured.
Experts pointed out that the expressway will not allow rickshaws, scooters, or tractors to use the road. The road will escalate the flood situation in Sangli and Kolhapur areas. For instance, one of the temples in Audumbar pilgrimage is on the banks of the Krishna river in Sangli.
Pundalik Shinde (54), who will be losing four acres of arable land, said: “Our village had four wadas, housing at least 3,000 people. During rainy season, they leave their homes and stay in a shed on gairan as water enters their home every year. They will be permanently displaced.” He is from Pattan Kodoli village in Hatkanagale town. These three wadas are More Malla, Sheri Malla, and Alatwadi.
“This road is nothing but a way to instigate suicide among the farmers,” said representatives of Shaktipeeth Mahamarg Virodhi Sangarsh Samiti Maharashtra.
‘Can’t be defrauded twice’
Prakash Chavan (75) from Nandgaon, Beed participated in all the protest held across the 12 districts. Chavan says, “How many times we should help government in the name fraudulent progress.” He claims in 1986, he gave his piece of land for a (Pajar talav) lake so that entire village had a water source.
“My daughter got no job in government as promised and received only ₹11,000 per acre (8 acre), instead of the promised 33,000 per acre. Today they are asking another piece of land, where I have built a well, they want to take that from me in return of pennies, they can’t defraud me twice.”
Published – March 13, 2025 09:11 am IST
