HUBBALLI: Even as the Dharwad district authorities are all set to submit a detailed report on the safety measures taken to prevent accidents on Hubballi-Dharwad bypass, to the Supreme Court following a recent accident which claimed 12 lives, farmers have raised objection to the design of outer ring road.
The farmers of Gabbur, Bidnal, Yallapur Oni, Veerapur Oni and other neighbouring areas have urged authorities to construct underpasses that will give them access to their fields.
The work on the ring road stretching between Vijayapura Road (Kusugal) and Gadag Road via Gabbur Cross connecting PB Road has been halted following a protest by members of Raitha Sangh of Hubballi, under the leadership of Parutappa Balagannavar and Mohan Asundi.
The protesters had asked the authorities to redesign the ring road and provide an underpass for the farmers.
NHAI representative Yeashwant, who recently tried to convince the farmers to withdraw the protest, said, “I have written a letter to the authority engineer R B Associates for the assessment of technical feasibility Once we receive the reply, it will be forwarded to regional office of NHAI, Bengaluru.”
In a memorandum, Raitha Sangh said as per the current design, Manganese plot to Bhandiwad village, Veerapur toll to Mantur and Bidnal to Kundgol Road were completely blocked and the farmers will be forced to use ring road to reach their fields, which is risky. MLA Arvind Bellad said there is a need to rectify lapses on the outer ring road design to avoid accidents in the future.
“Before inaugurating the ring road, the matter will be brought to the notice of Union minister Pralhad Joshi and minister Jagadish Shettar,” he said. Raitha Sangh’s Hubballi taluk chairman Parutappa Balagannavar said the new outer ring road poses a threat to the farmers as they will be forced to use ring roads to reach the fields.
“Before the road is opened to the public, the authorities and elected representatives should look into the issue and ensure underpasses for the farmers”, he added.
Farmer leader Mohan Asundi said the irony is that the NHAI officials have blocked the roads which were in for several decades. “In the maps of the revenue department and others, the existing roads are clearly marked. Despite that the roads were blocked,” he added.
Will write to Gadkari: Joshi “I will write to transport minister Nitin Gadakari on the issue,” said Union minister Pralhad Joshi.