The ongoing soil testing for the NAINA project in several villages of Panvel taluka was stopped by farmers on Friday, November 29, 2024. The soil testing was part of preparations for various works under the ambitious NAINA project, but NAINA Prakalp Badhit Shetkari Utkarsha Samitee (NAINA Project Affected Farmers Utkarsh Samiti), led by former MLC Balaram Patil, opposed the initiative and intervened to stop the process.

The soil testing was being conducted in villages such as Vihighar, Bonshet, and Bhokarpada, but farmers, led by Patil, gathered at the locations to halt the work. Speaking on the issue, Patil expressed strong opposition to the project and said, “We will not allow soil testing or any work related to the NAINA project in these areas. This project is detrimental to farmers, and we will continue to oppose it”.

The NAINA project, which is set to be implemented in 170 villages, has faced opposition in 23 of these villages for several years. Farmers in these villages have raised concerns about potential losses due to the project, organizing marches, hunger strikes, and other forms of protest to demand its cancellation. Patil, who has been vocal in his criticism of the project, accused the government of misleading farmers and depriving them of their rights.

The farmers’ actions were particularly focused on the Chipale area, where it was alleged that a builder was encroaching on agricultural land under the NAINA project. Despite being registered under Sat Bara (a land record system), construction activities were reportedly underway. The committee led by Patil stopped these activities, asserting that the land was being wrongfully used for non-agricultural purposes.

Patil made it clear that the farmers would not tolerate any further attempts to impose the Naina project on their land. "If the government forces this project upon us, we will continue to resist it with all our strength," he warned.

The protest was supported by numerous farmers in the region, signalling continued unrest over the Naina project and its potential impact on their livelihoods.