Highway blockade today to protest against Shaktipeeth
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The agitation, coinciding with Maharashtra Agriculture Day, aims to bring highway traffic to a standstill in Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg.
The protest stems from the state cabinet's recent approval of a substantial Rs20,787 crore to fast-track the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway (High Speed Expressway) project.
This project seeks to connect Pawanar (Wardha district) in eastern Maharashtra to Patra Devi (Sindhudurg district) on the Maharashtra-Goa border.
Highway authorities have already started land mapping and surveys for acquisition, reportedly under police protection, which has fuelled opposition from farmers. This swift action, despite farmer objections, has directly led to the call for the highway blockade.
Farmers' leader and former MP Raju Shetti has issued a stern warning to political representatives and sugar mill owners in Kolhapur and Sangli districts.
He urged them to publicly clarify their position on the Shaktipeeth Highway, stating that "time will not forgive them" if they fail to do so.
Shetti, while speaking to the reporters on Monday, said, "If you are true, then you don't have to fear the govt. This highway is being created only to make a scam worth Rs50,000 crore. The people's representatives of Kolhapur and Sangli districts, and especially the sugar millers, should clarify their stance against Shaktipeeth; otherwise, time will not forgive them."
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In Kolhapur district, the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway will be blocked at the Panchaganga Bridge in Shiroli. In Sangli district, the protest will be held at Ankali Phata on the Nagpur-Ratnagiri National Highway.
Meanwhile, the police department has planned traffic diversions to avoid inconvenience to the commuters due to the protest.
Inspector Nandkumar More of the city traffic branch, while talking to TOI, said, "All vehicles moving towards Pune from Kagal side will be diverted from Ujlaiwadi bridge and will proceed via Shahu Toll Naka, Tararani Chowk, SP Office Chowk, Kasba Bawda, Shiye Phata, and then towards Pune."
He added, "The same road will be used for vehicles arriving from Pune to move towards Kagal and Karnataka side. The traffic diversions will be in place from Tuesday 8am until the protest ends."
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