Pune: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured an amicable solution to the farmers affected by a proposed gas-insulated substation (GIS) at Bhongavali village in Bhor taluka and a 765 kilovolt (kV) transmission line under the Centre’s ‘Green Corridor’ project.The CM on Thursday held a meeting with the representatives of farmers and officials from the electricity department on the proposed substation. He instructed officials to examine feasible options to reduce land losses, considering the substation site, the alignment of power transmission lines, and future load.“Govt acknowledged the difficulties faced by the Bhor farmers and was committed to finding a solution. A final decision would be taken after we hold discussions regarding the issue with MSETCL and the Union govt officials,” Fadnavis told the media on Thursday in Mumbai.The statement came after a rasta roko agitation by farmers on Sunday on the Pune-Satara highway against the project. Sangram Thopte, who led the protest, said that while the govt has acknowledged the farmer opposition, we were also engaging with the MSETCL officials for the viability of alternative places for erecting the towers. “We would be meeting with officials next week regarding the issue of alternative locations,” he said on Friday.“Electricity demand has been rising sharply in an industrial district like Pune, and if necessary substations were not constructed, a severe power shortage could be imminent in the future. Substation projects were underway in other talukas of Pune district as well,” CM said, adding that around 40% of the project work was complete.NCP MLA Sunil Shelke had raised the issue of land acquisition of farmers during the assembly session in July. He said the transmission line would pass through 42 villages within his constituency and that the compensation offered by the govt was meagre. He added that the adequate compensation should be provided, as the land would not remain tillable and farmers would lose future income.Energy Minister of State (MoS) Meghana Bordikar had responded that since 2022, Maharashtra has revised its policy to provide compensation for land under transmission towers based on either the ready reckoner (RR) rate or the rate derived from transactions in the preceding three years, whichever was higher. She said the farmers could till the land at places where underground transmission lines have been laid.
