Can take a stand on Shaktipeeth Expressway once govt shares detailed briefing on project: Pawar

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Friday, 27 June, that he can take a stand on the proposed Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway if the government provides a detailed briefing on the project.

Pawar said experts should first deliberate on whether the project is in the interest of the people.

“Generally, any new project faces opposition. I am trying to see how I can resolve issues. It is important to understand the views of the farmers (whose land will be acquired),” he said.

At the same time, if the government can provide a detailed briefing like the rationale behind the project, how it will benefit people, and an assurance that farmers won’t suffer losses, then some sort of a stand can be taken, Pawar told reporters in Kolhapur.

Pawar said he is not in a position to comment on the project as he doesn't have a clear picture of its pros and cons.

On Thursday, his daughter and NCP (SP) working president had asked the government to reconsider the Rs 86,300 crore project, stressing that it would burden the “already depleted” state exchequer.

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The 802-km-long Shaktipeeth Expressway project will link Pavnar in Wardha district with Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border in Sindhudurg district and cut the travel time between Nagpur and Goa from the current 18 hours to eight hours, according to officials.

The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the allocation of Rs 20,787 crore for the high-speed carriageway, which will pass through 12 districts.

When asked if the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway has proved beneficial, Pawar said it will take a couple of years to understand its utility. However, he raised concerns over the number of accidents on the expressway.

To a question about the ongoing border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka, he said the government recently reconstituted a high-power committee to address the issue.

Pawar criticised US President Donald Trump for taking credit for the ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

“Trump claimed that he made some decisions (about the ceasefire) when the reality is that he does not have any right to make decisions (on behalf of other nations). His statements make everyone nervous. Today, several countries in Europe are disappointed over his outlook,” he said.

Pawar said that just because a country is powerful, it doesn't mean it can impose its decisions on other nations.

“I think India should take a clear stand on the Iran issue, and the policies concerning Gulf countries should be aligned with what was adopted by the past leadership. There should not be any misunderstanding among the Gulf countries about India,” he said.