Saamana Editorial On Shaktipeeth Mahamarg Project: "Is This Maharashtra’s Urgent Need?"

The controversial Shaktipeeth Mahamarg project has ignited a storm of political and public outrage, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana launching a fierce critique in its latest editorial. The piece questions both the intent and the urgency behind the multi-crore infrastructure initiative, raising concerns over large-scale land acquisition and the future of thousands of farmers in Maharashtra.

Earlier this week, the state cabinet led by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved the land acquisition for the Shaktipeeth Highway, allocating a staggering ₹20,000 crore for the project. This move has triggered sharp reactions from farmers across the state, who fear displacement and loss of livelihood. The editorial draws attention to their growing agitation and accuses the government of betraying the promises made to them before the last Assembly elections.

The Saamana editorial alleges that the so-called “dream project” is being pushed forward with ruthless intent, using the tactics of sama, dama, danda, bheda (persuasion, bribery, punishment, and division). It claims Fadnavis is attempting to forcibly seize the agricultural lands that serve as the lifeline for thousands of farmers in the state, likening the action to building tombs on the very soil that sustains the “Baliraja” – a term symbolizing the hardworking farmer.

The editorial draws a controversial parallel with the Dharavi redevelopment project in Mumbai, alleging that strategic urban lands are being handed over to corporate interests like the Adani Group, while rural cultivable land is being sacrificed for vanity infrastructure projects.

Besides the human cost, the editorial highlights the ecological threat posed by the project. It warns that the new highway could endanger sensitive biodiversity in the Western Ghats and threatens protected zones like the Nehru Maldhok Sanctuary near Solapur. The proposed construction, it claims, will wipe out approximately 7,500 hectares of fertile land, on top of the 3.5 lakh hectares already diverted for non-agricultural purposes in the state.

Furthermore, Saamana challenges the justification of the project by questioning its necessity when a parallel four-lane highway already exists between Nagpur and Goa. It accuses the government of prioritizing contractors and cronies under the guise of development, calling the project a tool for profiteering rather than progress.

The timing of the project’s revival has also come under fire. According to the editorial, the government’s financial reserves are stretched thin, and funds from other departments are already being redirected to welfare schemes like Ladki Bahin. In this context, it questions how the government can afford to promise ₹20,000 crore in compensation to farmers. It speculates whether this is a political maneuver to funnel money toward the upcoming local body elections.

Saamana also lashes out at the state’s handling of the previous dream project—the Samruddhi Mahamarg—claiming it is now a pothole-ridden stretch rather than a symbol of progress. “Instead of atoning for the failure of Samruddhi, why commit another sin by displacing thousands of farmers for Shaktipeeth Mahamarg?” the editorial asks.