On Friday, officials and employees who arrived in Belgundi to survey the ring road project had to face angry farmers. This incident marks another instance where the authorities have faced the wrath of the farming community.
The National Highway Authority has been gearing up for the construction of a ring road around Belagavi city in recent days. The tender process for the first phase of the project has also been completed. Consequently, to expedite the commencement of the work, extensive surveys have been conducted in various areas. Additionally, to ascertain the number of trees on the land earmarked for the ring road, stones have been strategically placed after the surveys.
Upon receiving information that officers and staff were surveying the Belgundi area, the farmers of the village swiftly gathered at the site. This gathering was fueled by their opposition to the Ring Road project and their determination to protect their land.
To counter the relentless efforts of the authorities to proceed with the Ring Road project, a significant number of farmers must file a petition in the High Court and secure a work suspension. Furthermore, if any officials attempt to conduct surveys in any village, they must be promptly sent back. Only then will the authorities be compelled to reconsider their decision to proceed with the construction of the ring road.
Despite the demands to halt the survey work, the tender process has already been completed. Consequently, the officers and employees attempted to reassure the farmers that the survey work would be swiftly concluded. However, the farmers adopted an aggressive stance and threatened to mobilize all the farmers in the village if the officials did not retreat. They made it clear that the officials would be held accountable for any ensuing consequences.