Raju Shetti Demands Cancellation Of Shaktipeeth Expressway

Raju Shetti, the chief of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, has demanded that the Maharashtra government immediately scrap the proposed Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway. Shetti made this demand while speaking to reporters after offering prayers at the Lord Vaidyanath temple in Parli Vaijnath on Monday.

Shetti warned of an aggressive agitation, alleging that the project would affect thousands of farming families by acquiring nearly 26,000 acres of fertile land across 12 districts. He questioned the need for the expressway, pointing out that high-quality four-lane highways already exist on most of these stretches.

The SSS chief claimed that the project has the potential for massive financial corruption, aimed at looting citizens through privatisation. He also stated that of the estimated 26,000 acres proposed for acquisition, more than 19,000 acres comprise fertile, irrigated land, which would severely affect food security and farmers' livelihoods.

Shetti addressed the agrarian distress in Marathwada, saying that farmers in Beed, Parbhani, and neighbouring regions were already reeling under recurring drought and crop failures. He warned that forcing the expressway on them could trigger widespread unrest.

The SSS chief also criticised the implementation of the Kharif crop insurance scheme and urged the state government to provide immediate financial compensation to affected farmers. He prayed for the ruling leadership to scrap the Shaktipeeth Expressway and provide relief to the agrarian community.

As Shetti was leaving the temple complex, former state minister and local MLA Dhananjay Munde arrived for darshan. The two leaders briefly interacted and discussed local agrarian concerns and regional issues.

The proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway has been a topic of controversy, with many farmers and locals opposing the project. The expressway is expected to pass through several districts, including Beed, Parbhani, and Nagpur.

The Maharashtra government has been facing criticism for its handling of agrarian issues, including the implementation of the Kharif crop insurance scheme. The government has been accused of failing to provide adequate support to farmers, leading to widespread distress in the agricultural community.

The demand to scrap the Shaktipeeth Expressway is likely to gain traction, given the widespread opposition to the project. The Maharashtra government will have to balance the need for infrastructure development with the concerns of farmers and locals.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the Shaktipeeth Expressway highlights the need for the government to engage with farmers and locals to address their concerns. The government must ensure that any infrastructure development project is carried out in a way that minimizes harm to the environment and local communities.

The issue also underscores the importance of addressing agrarian distress in Maharashtra. The state government must take concrete steps to support farmers, including providing adequate compensation for crop losses and implementing effective insurance schemes.

Overall, the demand to scrap the Shaktipeeth Expressway is a significant development in the ongoing debate over infrastructure development and agrarian issues in Maharashtra. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the demands of farmers and locals.