BELAGAVI
Work on the 12-km Macche-Halaga bypass along the Belgaum-Goa highway NH748AA has hit a major roadblock once again as agitating Belagavi farmers immediately stalled the work that was restarted on Wednesday morning.
The contractor had gathered huge machinery including JCBs, earthmovers and dumpers so that the incomplete work on the bypass could be restarted.
After completion of this bypass, the Goa-Hyderabad, Karwar-Kolhapur and other traffic movement is likely to ease, decongesting city traffic in Belagavi while offering a smooth and hurdle less passage to heavy multi-axle vehicles and other vehicles heading to Hyderabad, Dharwad and Kolhapur via Belagavi from Goa.
According to farmers, the work has been stayed due to non-payment of compensation to some farmers, including a few other issues.
“We would not mind giving our lives in case authorities try to forcibly implement the work on the road. We have obtained a clear stay from the high court. Apart from staging a fierce agitation, this would also result in the contempt of the court,” said Pundalik Patil, a farmer leader.
It may be recalled that the agitation has been going on since the last four years.
Farmers have been strongly objecting the completion of this stretch due to which Belagavi City and commuters are facing huge inconvenience.
Last year, a young farmer had immolated himself and was saved, while another farmer who had climbed a tree top threatening to commit suicide was rescued by the police.
