Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, February 23 Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Jadhav accused the state government of depriving farmers of their livelihoods by acquiring their land for the Maharashtra-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway project on Monday.
Jadhav was leading a protest by farmers against the project in Parbhani. Protests were also held in parts of the Beed district.
The Rs 86,300 crore Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway is 810 kilometres long and will pass through 12 districts of Maharashtra. It aims to reduce the travel time between Nagpur and Goa to 8 hours.
Speaking at the protest, the Parbhani MP alleged that the government was acquiring land for the expressway, which would benefit Adani in transporting minerals from Vidarbha to Goa.
"These lands are the ancestral property of farmers, and by acquiring them for the project, the government is depriving them of their livelihood. The government wants to facilitate Adani's operations through tenders so they can easily transport minerals," Jadhav alleged.
He further questioned the need for a new expressway when roads in the state have been improved.
Taking a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Shiv Sena UBT's deputy leader said, "Shinde had earlier said they would cancel the Shaktipeeth project, what is he doing today? He is a Shiv Sainik. Has he forgotten the teachings of Bal Thackeray to fight for the people?"
He also claimed that the state government was building such highways to engage in corruption.
Farmers will only receive meager compensation if they give their land for the expressway project, he said.