Belagavi-Panaji Ring Road
The Karnataka High Court has annulled the land acquisition notification for the proposed 35-km ring road connecting NH748 via Anmod and NH748AA via Chorla. While the project aimed to decongest Belagavi city traffic and improve connectivity for Goan vehicles, it faced legal challenges from farmers opposing the acquisition of fertile agricultural land.
For more details : https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/proposed-ring-road-linking-belagavi-to-panaji-halted/125100.html
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) issued the notification in October 2022 to acquire land for the six-lane road passing through 31 villages in Belagavi Taluka. However, protests and petitions from 18 farmers disrupted the process. Advocate M.G. Patil, who represented the farmers, said, “The court considered the farmers’ arguments and annulled the notification.”
Farmers Celebrate Victory
For the farmers, this decision marks a significant victory, as they successfully highlighted the importance of preserving fertile farmland. Moreover, the Belagavi Taluka Maharashtra Integration Committee had suggested building flyovers within the city to address traffic congestion. Unfortunately, their proposal was ignored, leading to further discontent.
NHAI’s Response and Next Steps
Despite the setback, NHAI officials confirmed that the High Court’s decision requires issuing a fresh notification. Meanwhile, Project Director Bhuvanesh Kumar emphasized plans to challenge the order. He stated, “We will ensure the ring road is implemented in the larger interest. Compensation of ₹140 crore has already been disbursed to the majority of farmers.”
Uncertain Project Future
As the farmers celebrate their legal triumph, the future of the ring road project remains uncertain. Nevertheless, local stakeholders continue to advocate for alternative solutions that resolve traffic issues without impacting agricultural land. Furthermore, the NHAI’s next steps will determine whether the project proceeds or undergoes further delays.
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