In a significant development, the High Court has ordered a stay on the contentious Halga-Machhe bypass work, providing a respite to farmers in the region. However, the court has refrained from delivering a final verdict, leaving the fate of the project hanging in the balance. This decision prolongs the legal and street battles for the farmers, who have been vehemently opposing the construction.
Following the court’s intervention, the National Highways Authority, responsible for the bypass project, has ceased operations and removed machinery from the fields. This action follows repeated violations of the court’s directives, which had prohibited work until certain conditions, including fixing the zero point, were met.
During the court proceedings, farmers highlighted the adverse impact of the bypass construction on their crops, aggravating their already precarious situation due to drought conditions. The court has taken cognizance of these concerns but has reserved its final decision for a later date.
“It’s a temporary relief for us,” remarked one of the affected farmers, acknowledging the court’s intervention. “But our struggle is far from over. We will continue our fight until our demands are met.”
The court’s decision to reserve its verdict underscores the complexity of the issue and the need for thorough deliberation. It’s expected that a final decision could be reached within the next 15 days to a month, indicating that while the work remains suspended for now, the ultimate fate of the bypass project is yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority, eager to expedite the project, finds itself at a standstill awaiting the court’s decision. The uncertainty surrounding the project’s future adds to the frustration of both the authorities and the affected farmers.