A leaked map of a proposed new highway between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, formerly Aurangabad, and Pune has set off a wave of speculation, real-estate activity and outrage among farmers. Before the government made any announcement officially, the leaked map went viral on social media and stirred controversy over land deals apparently operated by those with insider information.

Unreleased Map Triggers Real-Estate Rush

The viral map purportedly shows the alignment of a yet-to-be-announced highway project. Local reports say there has been a sudden rush in buying plots of land along the supposed alignment since its circulation. Local property agents and investors have been actively acquiring land parcels in anticipation of a massive increase in land value once the highway project is officially declared.

In the meantime, many farmers, unaware of their ancestral lands falling under the scope of the project, have begun selling at relatively low prices — a move likely to result in major financial losses in case the highway indeed passes through their region.

Questions Over the Leak

Sources say that only three government agencies — the surveying agency, the concerned state department, and NHAI — had access to the route map. The fact that this map has surfaced in the open market raises many questions on how this sensitive piece of information was leaked and who benefits from it.

The leak has sparked calls by local activists and opposition politicians for an investigation. 

Farmers Demand Transparency

Farmers' associations have been pressing the government to make the compensation policy clear and publish the official highway alignment as soon as possible.  They said the absence of such information makes for a selective playing field where only those with access to insider details can gain. 

"Ordinary farmers are selling their land in good faith, without knowing that within months, the value of the land would increase. This is exploitation in plain sight," said a local farmers' union representative.

Authorities Under Pressure

Officials have not confirmed whether this viral map is indeed the actual alignment of the proposed highway. It is believed, however, that the MSIDC is working on a preliminary survey for the project. Senior government sources say no official route has been decided upon yet, and public notification would follow only after technical and environmental clearances.

Despite these assurances, speculative buying is unabated, and land prices in some talukas between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune have witnessed steep hikes.

Call for Accountability

Opposition leaders and civic activists are demanding that the state government order an investigation into the leak to identify the culprits and protect farmers from being short-changed. Experts say if the issue is not addressed promptly, it may shake the confidence of the public in any future infrastructure projects. The leaked map, meanwhile, has turned the still-unannounced highway into a flashpoint of land speculation, political blame, and rural anxiety — well before asphalt has even been laid.