Farmers from Garlgunji and nearby villages have strongly opposed the proposed acquisition of fertile agricultural land for the Belagavi–Dharwad railway line project, warning the authorities that they will not surrender their land under any circumstances.
More than 200 farmers recently met the Special Land Acquisition Officer of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) in Dharwad and submitted a memorandum registering their protest against the ongoing land acquisition process.
The administration has been attempting to initiate land acquisition for the railway project over the past few months. However, residents of Garlgunji and surrounding areas have opposed the move from the outset, stating that losing fertile farmland would cause severe financial hardship to farming families.
Farmers also alleged that despite their resistance, the administration is trying to push ahead with the acquisition process under police protection. Expressing anger over the developments, the villagers travelled to Dharwad to personally convey their objections to officials.
They warned that if authorities attempt to enter their fields with police support in future, a large-scale protest movement would be launched across the region.
The farmers made it clear that they would not permit land acquisition for the current alignment and urged officials to explore an alternative route for the railway line. They further stated that all farmers in the area would remain united in their opposition to the proposed alignment.
- 121.31 acres in Dharwad district
- 407.28 acres in Belagavi district
- 89.08 acres under Phase Two in Dharwad
Compensation of ₹250 crore has been fixed for the acquired 617.67 acres.