The long-closed road in front of Shiv Srushti at Shahapur — which had been embroiled in controversy over ₹20 crore compensation — is set to reopen soon. However, instead of restoring the full 80-foot width, only a 40-foot-wide stretch will be made available for public use.
Over the past two days, teams from the Belagavi City Corporation and the Land Records Department have been conducting surveys to realign the road as per the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and the private layout approved in 1976. The initiative comes after citizens urged District Guardian Minister Satish Jarkiholi to intervene, prompting him to take steps to resolve the long-pending issue.
According to municipal officials, the northern 40 feet of the 80-foot road will be reopened for vehicular movement. This partial opening is expected to ease the severe traffic congestion in the Shahapur area.
The road, originally developed under the Smart City Project, was closed last year following a High Court order. The closure came after landowners, whose property had been used for road construction without proper acquisition, sought compensation. The Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court had directed the City Corporation to pay ₹20 crore to the affected landowners. However, the payment was not made, leading the owners to file a contempt petition.
During the hearing of the case in 2024, then Municipal Commissioner Ashok Dudgunti appeared before the court. Subsequently, the Corporation decided to return the land instead of paying compensation, as recorded in its general body meeting. In September 2024, the land was officially restored to the owners, who immediately blocked access to the road.
Since then, multiple proposals — including issuing Transferable Development Rights (TDR) and a Public Interest Litigation — were explored but failed to yield results. The current plan to open a 40-foot-wide road emerged after it was found that such a route aligns with the original CDP layout and would not violate court directives.
Municipal Commissioner Shubha B. has initiated the reopening process following instructions from Guardian Minister Jarkiholi. Once the survey is completed, the alignment will be sealed and formally notified.
This move is expected to bring much-needed relief to commuters while resolving a long-standing urban development dispute in Shahapur.
At last the commuters can heave a sigh of relief. Had the CCB exercised due diligence while issuing NOC to BSCLtd the problem couldn’t have been so much complicated. But who is accountable for the loss to tax payers money ?