06 May,2026 10:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. (File pic)
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday directed the construction of service roads for farmers, whose access routes are disrupted by the railway or any other infrastructure projects.
Bawankule further directed that it should be made mandatory to ensure that farmers can reach their fields without facing any difficulty.
The decision was take in view of strengthening infrastructure for agriculture in state, officials said.
As reported by news agency PTI, 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.
Furthermore, detailed discussions were held on problems arising from land acquisition and the impact of the railway alignment on agricultural access.
While issuing a statement, Bawankule said, "In cases where farmers' access roads are cut off due to the 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," as per PTI.
Addressing land acquisition concerns, the Revenue Minister further said that affected farmers have been given a final opportunity to present their claims and submit supporting documents.
He also directed that all such submissions be made to the district collector within 15 days, after which no further representations will be entertained.
The Maharashtra Revenue Minister further 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, which is causing severe inconvenience to the farmers.
Restoring such roads is the responsibility of the executing department, he said, adding that an official circular will be issued shortly.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday said that a revised proposal regarding land allocation for the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple committee in Pandharpur will be submitted within 15 days. The move is expected to expedite pending plans for expanding the temple's cowshed facilities, reported PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
