Service Roads for Farmers Affected by Infra Projects

Mumbai, May 6 (PTI) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday directed that constructing service roads for farmers, whose access routes are disrupted by Railway or any other infrastructure projects, be made mandatory to ensure they can reach their fields without difficulty.

The directive follows a meeting chaired by the minister at Mantralaya (state secretariat) to review issues faced by farmers in Dhule district in connection with the Manmad-Indore Railway project. Detailed discussions were held on problems arising from land acquisition and the impact of the Railway alignment on agricultural access.

"In cases where farmers' access roads are cut off due to Railway or any other project, the department concerned must restore them as part of the project. It will be mandatory to construct a service road along the Railway line to enable farmers to reach their fields," Bawankule said in a statement.

Addressing land acquisition concerns, he said affected farmers have been given a final opportunity to present their claims and submit supporting documents.


The minister directed that all such submissions be made to the district collector within 15 days, after which no further representations will be entertained.

He emphasised that special attention must be given to small farmers and those with wells on their land, and said responsibility for proper planning in such cases should rest with the resident district collector.

Bawankule noted that in several locations, Railway lines or pipelines have blocked traditional access routes to farms.

Restoring such roads is the responsibility of the executing department, he said, adding that an official circular will be issued shortly.