Residents of Kondhapuri in Shirur taluka have formally demanded a flyover, no toll plaza and transparent compensation for land acquired for the Pune-Ahmednagar National Highway, approving three resolutions at a special gram sabha held on Tuesday.
The meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of gram panchayat administrator B.R. Gawade and gram panchayat officer Santosh Daphal. Dhananjay Gaikwad, organiser of the All India Consumer Panchayat, placed the three resolutions before the gathering.
The first resolution sought a flyover through Kondhapuri village on the Pune-Ahmednagar National Highway. The second opposed the construction of a toll plaza within the Kondhapuri limits. The third called for a transparent land acquisition process and fair compensation for farmers whose land is affected by the highway project.
The resolutions received approval after villagers raised their hands in support. Around 247 residents, including local representatives and villagers, signed in support of the resolutions, according to the report. The meeting was held specifically to discuss difficulties linked to the highway and its impact on the village.
Gaikwad said the residents were not opposed to development but wanted affected farmers to receive appropriate compensation. He also raised concerns about trees being cut along the roadside without land acquisition, as well as the need for safer road crossings in a settlement that includes an industrial area, workers, schools and colleges.
According to the statements reported from the meeting, residents also need to cross the highway to reach temples located along the roadside and to attend related programmes. Gaikwad said a flyover was necessary to reduce the risk of future accidents and other hazards.
The demand places road design and land acquisition at the centre of the village’s response to the highway. A flyover would address the movement of people across the road, while the demand against a toll plaza concerns the proposed use of local highway space and its likely effect on residents. The compensation resolution focuses on the process through which private agricultural land is acquired for public infrastructure.
Former sarpanch Swapnil Gaikwad said villagers would set aside political differences and work collectively to pursue the issue. He said legal avenues would also be used if required.
The residents said a meeting would be sought with the chief minister, deputy chief minister, guardian minister, Member of Parliament, Member of the Legislative Assembly, district collector and tehsildar to discuss the highway-related difficulties and seek a solution. The gram sabha concluded peacefully.
