India, July 2 -- Farmers and public representatives staged coordinated protests across 12 districts of western Maharashtra and Marathwada on Tuesday, opposing the proposed Rs.86,358 crore Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway project, and threatened to intensify the stir if the state government remained firm in its resolve.

The 802.592 kilometre-long greenfield expressway will run through 12 districts - Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur and Sindhudurg. On Tuesday, affected farmers from all these districts blocked roads and highways to express their protest; some even tried to jump in the Panchganga river, but police prevented them from taking the step.

In Sangli district, many pro...