BELAGAVI
Traffic on the Belagavi-Goa NH 748 was blocked for over 2 hours as farmers from Belagavi region had staged a rasta roko near Zadshahapur, about 12 kms from Belagavi.
Demanding the immediate withdrawal of the ongoing Halga-Macche bypass and the proposed ring road around the city, the farmers who had gathered in huge numbers exhibited their unity in opposing the proposed projects, which were organised by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti.
Farmers from about 32 villages had gathered on the highway along with their bullock carts. Women and children too took part in the protests demanding the immediate withdrawal of the new proposals.
They felt the government could always think of other alternatives like flyovers, etc. which will save thousands of hectares of fertile land through which these projects are being implemented.
“If we lose our fertile land, we will also lose our livelihood while the future of our children will be uncertain. We are not interested in the compensation being offered by the government which will not help us for long time. Hence, we will not part away even with an inch of our fertile lands,” a protesting woman told media persons.
The agitators have also strongly opposed for the proposed Belagavi-Dharwad new railway line which is passing through Kittur stating that this will also leave thousands of farmers landless.
Farmers have warned of a more massive protests in case the authorities do not concede to their demands.
Meanwhile, traffic on the busy NH748 was disrupted for over two hours as the commuters were caught unaware. Huge queues of traffic were witnessed on both the side and were cleared by the noon.
