Residents of Kondhapuri in Shirur taluka have unanimously approved three resolutions concerning the Pune-Ahmednagar Highway, demanding a flyover through the village, no toll plaza within its limits and transparent land acquisition with fair compensation for affected farmers.
The resolutions were passed during a special gram sabha held on Tuesday at Kondhapuri under the chairmanship of gram panchayat administrator B.R. Gawade and gram panchayat officer Santosh Daphal. Organiser Dhananjay Gaikwad of the All India Consumer Panchayat placed the three proposals before the meeting.
The first resolution seeks a flyover on the national highway at the section passing through Kondhapuri. Residents said the village has an industrial area, workers, schools and colleges, making regular road crossings necessary. The resolution also cited temples located along the roadside, which require residents to cross the highway during religious and community activities.
According to Gaikwad, the flyover is needed to reduce the risk of accidents and other dangers linked to crossing the highway. He said the villagers were not opposed to development but wanted the concerns of people affected by the road project to be addressed.
The second resolution opposes the construction of a toll plaza within Kondhapuri’s limits. The third calls for a transparent land acquisition process along the Pune-Ahmednagar Highway and proper compensation for farmers whose land is affected. The report also said trees along the roadside had been cut without land acquisition being completed, a claim raised during the meeting.
Around 247 villagers signed the resolutions in support of the demands. The resolutions were approved after residents signalled their consent by raising their hands.
The meeting brought together local representatives and residents, including former sarpanch Swapnil Gaikwad and other village members. Swapnil Gaikwad said residents would work collectively, setting aside political differences, to pursue the highway-related demands through legal means if necessary.
The resolutions now place the village’s concerns before the authorities responsible for highway planning, land acquisition and local administration. Gaikwad and Swapnil Gaikwad said a meeting would be sought between villagers and the chief minister, deputy chief minister, guardian minister, Member of Parliament, Member of the Legislative Assembly, district collector and tehsildar to discuss the issues and seek a solution.
The proposed meeting with these authorities is the next stated step in the village’s effort to secure a flyover, prevent a toll plaza in Kondhapuri and obtain compensation through a transparent land acquisition process.
