TEAM HERALD
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BELGAUM: The proposed 9-km Peeranwadi-Halga bypass along the Belgaum-Panjim NH4A has run into rough weather once again, as farmers who own agricultural land along the proposed highway have strongly opposed the project.
Thousands of farmers accompanied by several bullock carts staged a protest rally in the Belgaum city on Monday. Later, they submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner S Jaykumar opposing the bypass, that hopes to avoid traffic congestion in Belgaum city and to ensure smooth flow of traffic from Kolhapur, Dharwad and Hyderabad to Goa and vice versa.
The proposed bypass, which is part of the ongoing four-six laning of NH4A, will commence at Peeranwadi, about 8 kms earlier to Belgaum city and reach the Golden Quadrilateral (NH4) at Halga, where vehicles proceeding to Goa and coming from Goa will not have to enter the city traffic that is posing several problems and causing traffic congestion in Belgaum city.
Apart from saving valuable time, the by-pass is expected to save Belgaum-Dharwad distance by about 20 kms via Belgaum, apart from ensuring smooth vehicular movement.
However, since the highway passes through fertile paddy fields, farmers since the last two years have put up a stiff resistance, demanding diversion of it.
According to farmers, several acres of fertile land will be acquired by authorities leaving farmers in despair. Hence, farmers on Monday organized a massive rally and submitted memorandum to Deputy Commissioner S Jay Kumar, who has assured them of an amicable solution after consulting the NHAI authorities.
Meanwhile, the authorities setting aside the opposition by farmers have already commenced the work in the proposed by-pass from Peeranwadi.
As the impact of the rally, the NH4A was blocked for over two hours while some vehicles were diverted along other routes.
Farmers, who were in arms against NHAI officials, who have been trying to demarcate the by-pass, are now allowing them to carry out their work.
Farmers have also filed cases against the NHAI authorities and are awaiting directions from the court.
Interestingly, Sri Ram Sene Chief Pramod Mutalik joined the rally along with Marathi leaders to pledge their support to the agitating farmers.
