"Maharashtra Government to Cancel Acquisition Process for Shaktipeeth Highway Project"

Amid widespread protests from farmers, opposition parties, and members of the ruling party, the MahaYuti government has decided to cancel the land acquisition process for the ambitious 802 km Shaktipeeth Highway, sources report.

The project, which would connect Nagpur and Goa with an investment of ₹86,300 crore, aims to cut travel time from 13 hours to 8 hours. It is intended to boost connectivity, promote tourism—including religious tourism—and foster regional development. The highway would pass through 12 districts and connect key Hindu pilgrimage sites, including jyotirlingas in Parli Vaijnath and Aundh Naganath, as well as several other significant temples across Maharashtra and Goa.

The decision to halt the land acquisition follows intense protests from farmers, particularly in Kolhapur, who argued that the project would result in the loss of nearly 27,000 acres of agricultural land, leaving thousands landless. The opposition, including members from the ruling party, supported the farmers' stance, calling for the project to be scrapped or its route realigned to mitigate the impact on agriculture.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has intervened, directing the cancellation of the land acquisition process. Government sources indicate that the notification for land acquisition will soon be withdrawn. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the nodal agency for the project, had appointed 27 land acquisition officers across 12 districts and planned to complete the acquisition by December to initiate the bidding process. However, MSRDC has forwarded its proposal to cancel the process in light of the ongoing protests.

The move comes shortly after NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar publicly opposed the project and announced plans to meet with the Chief Minister to discuss the matter. The Chief Minister has assured that the government will reconsider the project, taking into account the concerns and sentiments of the affected parties before moving forward.

ET