Farmers take out bike rally to protest against Shaktipeeth project

Kolhapur: Farmers from Walva tehsil and members of Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti and Sheti Bachao Samiti in Sangli district, took out a bike rally on Thursday to protest against the Pavnar to Patradevi (Nagpur- Goa) Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway project.Villagers from Masuchiwadi, Junakhed, Borgaon, Walwa, Urun, Kameri, Yedenipani, Itkare, Yelur, Kurlap, and Aitwade Khurd in Walva tehsil participated in the rally in large numbers, with placards and saffron flags in their hands.Dhanaji Gurav, member of Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, said, “Govt is not taking decisions in the interest of the farmers but against them. Considering the adverse effects this highway will create on the environment and farmers, our demand is that this Shaktipeeth project be cancelled. Our protest will continue till our last breath.”Recently, the revenue department stopped the land purchase and sale transactions for over 1,352 survey numbers from 11 villages of Walva tehsil in Sangli district. Provincial officer Srinivas Arjun has issued orders for no transfer, conversion of land, or purchase of land that will be acquired for the Shaktipeeth Expressway project.As per the new layout of the highway that was released on May 5, the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway will pass through 13 districts and 40 talukas of Wardha, Yavatmal, Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg. It will also connect 21 religious places, including the major Shaktipeeths of Maharashtra, Mahur, Tuljapur and Kolhapur. The highway is expected to reduce the current 18-hour journey from Nagpur to Goa to about eight hours.