The villagers of Hasanparthy, Yellapur, Chinthagattu and Erragattugutta observed bandh on Wednesday and carried out protests against the proposed 200-feet NH 563 between Raipatnam and Kodad.
People contend that due to the laying of the highway, several houses and business establishments would be demolished in these villages. They say the highway could be re-routed from Elkathurthy to Hasanparthy by joining NH 156 and these villages could be avoided.
The officials have acquired the land between Huzurabad and Annasagaram Crossroad abutting the SRSP canal for the highway. The villagers refused to cooperate with the officials when they came for land acquisition in these villages.
They launched a series of protests since past few days and on Wednesday they observed bandh.
The villagers said that they were not willing to part with their land and properties.
“About 1,000 families will be at a loss because of the proposed stretch of highway. It is very difficult for us to relocate. Either the officials reduce the width of the highway to 150 feet from proposed 200 feet or find another way to avoid our villages,” said a resident of Hasanparthy, Vesam Surender Reddy.
The NHAI Project Director Srinivas visited the protesting villages on Wednesday and held talks.
He assured them of conducting a resurvey to find other ways to design the highway.
“This is my ancestral home. The officials have marked it to be demolished as part of the construction of the National Highway. My family survives on my petty business. We cannot imagine losing our home even if we get compensation,” said M. Harishankar, another villager.
