Health impact of Samruddhi: Three dead, many fall ill
Though the centre of the protest against Samruddhi corridor was Shahapur in initial stage, Aurangabad recorded as the most affected district where three farmers died with cardiac attack immediately after the forcible land measurement for the project. Dozens of farmers have complaining about high blood pressure and diabetic.
Suryabhan Ballal (60) from Abdimandi in Aurangabad taluka will lose his 11 acres of chikku (sapota) farm along the corridor. He earn Rs 22 to 25 lakh per year and number of labourers are dependent on him. He became high BP patient from when his land was measured for the project.
According to Subhash Barde from Maliwada in same Aurangabad tehsil, Vishwanath Hekade (62) died on December 26, 2016 due to heart attack immediately after the land measurement. Laxman Sundarde (65) died with the same reason on January 2, 2017 and Shivnath Appa Thenge (68) died in September 2016.
Hekade will lose 4 acre, Sundarde will lose 8 acre and Shivnath 6 acre.
Bhaisahab Kashinath Pawar (60) from Sonambe village (Sinnar tehsil of Nasik) became BP patient as he was threatened by keeping gun on head of his 9 month granddaughter.
Godavari Mate (60) from Vardali in Sindkhedraja was paralysed at the time of land measurement. "I was immediately shifted to the hospital in a government van which was there at my farm at the time of measurement," said Mate.
"Social impact assessment is necessary before pushing Samruddhi Corridor, which is ignored by the state government and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC)," said Dr Ram Baheti, Aurangabad district secretary and state executive committee member of Communist Party of India (CPI).
"There are very rare case of farmer died due to cardiac attack. But the tension of losing the only means of income - fertile land in Samruddhi corridor - became the reason of increase in health issues among farmers," he added.
Ritesh Wankhede, graduate youth from Dongaon said, "Even youths are facing health problems since when the officials are forcibly grabbing our land for the project." He added, "MSRDC want us to do low quality job. How can I do it when I am graduate? This increases tension and hence losing mental and physical health."
"People are not ready to marry their daughter in villages which are affecting by Samruddhi Corridor. A marriage was cancelled when father of bride came to know that broom will become minimum land holder by losing maximum agricultural land in corridor, "said Sopan Karale from Kenwad taluka Risod in Washim district.