Expressway versus farmland: Why hundreds of farmers in tractor-trolleys just marched into Ujjain

The Madhya Pradesh government Wednesday once again opened talks with protesting farmers in Ujjain, leading to the temporary suspension of a large-scale agitation over demands linked to the proposed Greenfield Expressway. The development comes amid the ongoing Budget Session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, where agrarian issues have emerged as a politically sensitive concern for the Mohan Yadav-led government. Farmers from nearly 90 villages across Ujjain, Indore and Ratlam districts had arrived in Ujjain with ration, water and bedding, travelling in over 150 tractor-trolleys to stage an indefinite protest. However, the agitation was called off after Ujjain Collector Roshan Kumar Singh contacted farmer representatives and assured them of discussions on their demands. Following the talks, a delegation of farmer leaders left for Bhopal, where further deliberations with the state government are expected. Speaking after the meeting, Collector Roshan Kumar Singh said discussions were held with farmer representatives and that the administration was engaged with their concerns. He added that the government would make its position clear by Wednesday evening and that no protest was underway in the city at present. The farmers have been opposing the construction of the Ujjain–Indore and Ujjain–Jawra Greenfield access-controlled road for over a year. They argue that the proposed design, with elevated sections rising 20 to 40 feet, would severely affect agricultural land and local connectivity. Their key demands include developing the road as a normal highway instead of an access-controlled expressway and providing compensation at prevailing market rates to affected landowners. Farmer leader Rajesh Solanki said the decision to suspend the protest was taken after the Collector assured them of a resolution. “We were called for talks and told that our demands would be discussed seriously. We have been asked to come to Bhopal, and we are hopeful that there will be agreement on compensation and other issues by evening,” he said, adding that the agitation had been deferred based on these assurances. According to farmer organisations, around 250 farmers had reached Ujjain on Wednesday, though tractor-trolleys were stopped in rural areas as a precautionary measure. The farmers later gathered near the Smart City office to stage a sit-in before talks were initiated. Officials said nearly 90 villages will be affected by the proposed expressway, including 56 in Ujjain district, 20 in Indore and 14 in Ratlam. While negotiations between farmer bodies and the administration are continuing, farmer organisations have said the future course of the protest will depend on the final decision taken by the state government in Bhopal. Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More