Council adjourned as opposition protests Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth expressway project

During a calling attention motion, Congress MLC Satej Patil along with other legislators demanded that the project be scrapped and questioned the need for it when there is an existing road on the route.

Farmers stage a protest march demanding cancellation of the proposed Nagpur- Goa Shaktipeeth Highway, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (PTI Photo)

The Maharashtra Legislative Council was adjourned on Saturday after legislators of Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) protested against the proposed Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Mahamarg. During a calling attention motion, Congress MLC Satej Patil along with other legislators demanded that the project be scrapped and questioned the need for it when there is an existing road on the route.

“The highway is being constructed to connect 17 temples in the state. But the highway is in the interest of the contractors and is built on farmers’ lands. Nearly 27,000 acres of land will be lost due to the highway. This will make thousands of farmers landless. What is the need for a new Shaktipeeth when there are parallel roads connecting temples in the state?” Patil asked and demanded that the project be scrapped as there is huge opposition from the local residents.

Replying to Patil, Public Works Department Minister Dada Bhuse said the government has taken note of the sentiments of farmers and the Opposition regarding this highway. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the two Deputy Chief Ministers and MSRDC will decide on the future course while respecting the sentiments of the people.

“No decision will be taken against the sentiments of farmers and citizens. A decision will be taken only after taking everyone into confidence,” Bhuse said.

Patil and other opposition MLCs, however, took an aggressive stand and demanded to scrap the project and raised slogans, due to which Deputy Speaker Neelam Gorhe adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

The Shaktipeeth expressway, which is 800-km long, is being implemented by the MSRDC and it passes through 12 districts between Nagpur and Goa.

The expressway will cover Hindu pilgrimage places such as two jyotirlingas—one in Parli Vaijnath and second is Aundh Naganath (Nageshwar) in Hingoli district. The Mahur Renu Devi temple, Tuljabhavani in Tuljapur, Vitthal Rakhumai temple of Pandharpur, Mahalaxmi temple of Kolhapur, and Goa’s Patradevi temple are other popular temples in both these states that the expressway will cover.

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The project, which also aims to boost tourism, will cost Rs 86,000 crore, being a complete green field project.

Meanwhile, the Opposition parties also raised concerns over the two-year vacancy of the Maharashtra Legislative Council chairperson’s position and demanded a full-time chairperson in the upper house.

Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve from Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress MLCs Abhijeet Vanjari and Bhai Jagtap discussed the issue in the Legislative Council. State parliamentary affairs minister Chandrakant Patil responded, stating that the matter will be discussed at an all-party meeting on Monday, revealing that the post has been vacant since July 8, 2022.

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