The proposed hunger strike led by former corporator Vinayak Gunjatkar demanding urgent repairs to the Third Railway Gate Over Bridge in Tilakwadi Belagavi was called off on Thursday, even before it began. The decision came after firm assurances from Mayor Mangesh Pawar and local MLAs that the damaged road would be repaired on a priority basis.
The over bridge road has been left in a dangerous condition, with asphalt removed and deep cracks making it accident-prone. Despite repeated pleas, authorities had not acted, prompting Gunjatkar, along with citizens and fellow leaders, to plan a hunger strike. Preparations, including setting up boards at the protest site, had already begun.
However, on Thursday morning, Mayor Pawar, Deputy Mayor Vani Joshi, and Police Commissioner Bhushan Gulabrao Borse met the protestors. Gunjatkar highlighted the risks posed by the neglected bridge road and criticized the uneven development focus on the Fourth Railway Gate Underpass. He also submitted a formal statement demanding immediate action.
Mayor Pawar assured that repair work would start immediately and Police Commissioner Borse promised to follow up for quick execution. Later, local MLAs released a video message assuring citizens that within the next 2–3 days, the bridge road would be properly repaired, either with wet mix or hot mix.
“Trusting these assurances, we are suspending our hunger strike,” announced former corporators Vinayak Gunjatkar, Motesh Bardeshkar, Sagar Mutkekar, and Anil Chougule in a joint statement.
Thus, the much-anticipated hunger strike at the Third Railway Gate Bridge ended even before it began, with authorities now under pressure to deliver on their promise of urgent repairs.