Nashik erupts over Nashik-Pune rail route change, local MLC detained over protest
Thousands of people, including a large number of young protesters, took to the streets in parts of Maharashtra's Nashik district on Sunday, demanding that the
Thousands of people, including a large number of young protesters, took to the streets in parts of Maharashtra's Nashik district on Sunday, demanding that the original alignment of the Nashik-Pune semi-high-speed railway route should not be changed. The agitation disrupted traffic on the highway, and police detained local MLC Satyajeet Tambe, who led the protest at Sinnar. The protest came amid a growing row over the rail project, with opponents objecting to a proposed diversion of the route. Tension rose when some protesters tried to stop the police vehicle carrying Tambe, leading to heated exchanges. minister and Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat and Nashik MP Rajabhau Vaje also joined the agitation. Read Full Story The controversy centres on the reported scrapping of the direct and shorter route via Narayangaon and Sangamner because of concerns that it could interfere with technical signals of the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in Pune district.
In its place, the government has proposed diverting the route via Ahilyanagar and Shirdi, triggering strong protests in the region. The Maharashtra government has set up an expert committee headed by former Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar to study the impact of the proposed Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway alignment on the GMRT. The 'Chakkajam', or road blockade, against the revision of the earlier rail route alignment was organised on the occasion of August Kranti Din. During the protest, Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan spoke to Tambe over the phone. Local leaders at the spot said that even as Mahajan announced that a written assurance would be given, police stopped Tambe and other agitators from moving towards the Samruddhi highway.
"This is not the stand of any party but a mass movement in response to the demands of the people for many years. The Nashik-Pune railway should be built on the same route as originally proposed. We will not accept any attempt to change the route under pressure from anyone or for any reason," Tambe said. Referring to the Kakodkar panel, Tambe said the matter should not be delayed again by extending deadlines and that a decision should be taken within 60 days. He also demanded that the committee's terms should not be confined to technical issues related to the GMRT and said it should hold public dialogues in every taluka to understand people's views. "A large-scale land acquisition process has already been completed for the Nashik-Pune railway, and more than Rs 500 crore has been allocated.
The BriefWire