Thousands gather in Kolhapur demanding cancellation of Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway

Kolhapur: At a massive farmers’ rally against the proposed Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway in Kolhapur on Saturday, Congress MLC and leader of opposition in the legislative council warned that the project would face stiff resistance. “It’s a warning to CM Devendra Fadnavis… you might have written the script of Shaktipeeth Expressway from Nagpur, but we will make sure this Shaktipeeth ‘cinema’ flops in all 13 districts of Maharashtra,” Patil said.Addressing the protesters outside the district collector’s office, Patil alleged that the project lacked public interest. “The project is only meant to benefit contractors and officials, with no real purpose beyond that,” he said, echoing concerns over its cost and necessity.The protest, which saw participation of around 7,000 to 8,000 people from across the district, was organised to demand cancellation of the expressway. The march began at Dasra Chowk and culminated in a rally after passing through key city routes. Several politicians, including NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil, former MP Raju Shetti, and others, were present.Satej Patil also targeted BJP and RSS, questioning their silence over the project’s impact. “When there are elections, they talk of Hindutva, but now they don’t see the suffering of Hindu farmer families who will get devastated due to this road,” he said, claiming that 150 to 200 small temples would also be affected.Recalling past political assurances, he added, “When Eknath Shinde was chief minister, he promised that the Shaktipeeth highway would be cancelled in Kolhapur district. Now it’s his responsibility to fulfil the promise.” Warning of intensified agitation, Patil said, “If govt tries to carry out land mapping and acquisition, we won’t sit quiet.”Meanwhile, MLA Jayant Patil criticised Centre over rising fuel prices and infrastructure delays. “Govt is not able to complete the ongoing projects, and it wants to spend Rs 1 lakh crores on the Shaktipeeth project. This should be cancelled,” he said, alleging economic mismanagement and foreign policy pressure.Farmers’ leader Raju Shetti also adopted an aggressive stance. “Development should not be carried out by digging the graveyard for farmers,” he said. Questioning the project’s cost, he asked, “Why is Rs 1 lakh crore needed for 856 km of road? What conspiracy is this?”Tensions also escalated on the ground in Sangli district’s Khanapur tehsil, where a farmer activist allegedly attempted self-immolation during a land survey exercise at Nagewadi, Mahuli village. Advocate Deepak Lad poured a petrol-like substance over himself, forcing officials from the revenue and land records Department to retreat amid protests and heated arguments.