Work on the Pune-Ahilyanagar National Highway has been obstructed by residents of Khandale in Shirur taluka, Pune district, who say land acquisition has not been completed and that construction activity is proceeding without clarity on the official road boundary. The affected farmers have demanded an immediate survey, a formal determination of the highway limits and compensation based on an assessment of their losses.
According to a report by Sakal-Pune, a memorandum carrying villagers’ signatures was emailed to the tehsildar through the All India Consumer Panchayat. The memorandum seeks action on the land, trees, homes and businesses that residents say may be affected by the highway project.
The farmers held a meeting in Khandale on Sunday and demanded that land acquisition on both sides of the road be finalised without delay. They also sought valuation at market rates and compensation according to government rules. Residents said that construction-related activity should remain suspended until the affected land is legally acquired and compensation is determined.
The memorandum alleges that natural trees on farmland beside the road have been cut without authorisation and that agricultural land has been levelled without authorisation. It calls for the immediate suspension of tree cutting, levelling, excavation and other construction activity on farmland along the Pune-Ahilyanagar highway until the affected farmers receive compensation.
The dispute centres on the information available to landowners about the project’s land requirements. The affected farmers told the contractor that their land had not been acquired and asked for clarity on the exact official boundary of the road. The contractor, according to the farmers as reported by Sakal-Pune, responded that the work was being carried out within the road boundary.
Residents have asked the administration to conduct an official measurement and site inspection in the presence of all affected farmers. They also want written notices relating to land acquisition, an authorised map and details of the required documentation to be provided to each affected landowner.
The memorandum lists compensation for land, houses, trees and businesses among its demands. It also seeks written instructions to contractors preventing further work on affected farmland until the compensation process is completed. The farmers have said that construction should not resume until the legal acquisition of land and payment of appropriate compensation are addressed.
The Khandale protest follows similar opposition from residents of neighbouring Kondhapuri, according to the report. Kondhapuri residents have organised a special gram sabha to press the administration for a decision on the highway work. The report did not state that the tehsildar or the highway authorities had issued a response to the memorandum or announced a revised work schedule.
