Kolhapur, 19 May (HS): Farmers Kolhapur district have planned an agitation and

morcha on June 9 against the proposed Shatipeeth Mahamarg. The decision to

stage agitation protesting the proposed highway was taken during a meeting at

Kasba Bawda (Kolhapur). Former MP Raju Shetti, MLAs Jayant Asgaonkar and Satej

Patil, former MLA Sampatbapu Pawar were present.

The

farmers and people in Kolhapur have opposed the highway connecting all

Shaktipeeth in Maharashtra. Satej Patil spelled out the future course of action

against the highway.

Swabhimani

Shetkari Sanghatna leader Rajus Shetti said that the highway will result in

rise in water levels of Kumbhi, Tuilsi, Warna, Kasari, Panchganga, and Bhigawati

rivers. About 70 villages will face threat of flooding. The flow of water in

these rivers usually is 50 km per hour, which would increase and cause damage

to orchards in these villages.

The

Government has acquired very fertile land for the project, which would affect

sugarcane crops in the region. The proposed project which will connect 13

districts in the state. The farmers are against it. The State Government led by

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis must reconsider the proposal for the

betterment of farmers, he said.

The leaders also threatened to intensify the agitation, if the proposal

is not reviewed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar