A key development emerged in the long-disputed Halga–Machhe Bypass issue on Monday, with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan assuring farmers that the contested land parcels will undergo a fresh survey, waterlogging caused by the road construction will be addressed, and all documents required for their ongoing court case will be provided.
The assurance followed an inspection of the bypass site, days after farmers led by Ramakant Konduskar submitted a memorandum alleging illegal construction activity and calling for an immediate stop to the work.
When the DC arrived at the location on Monday morning, a large group of farmers, including leaders Ramakant Konduskar, Raju Marve, and Prakash Nayak, gathered around him, demanding that the project be scrapped. They claimed that the road work had damaged fertile farmland and threatened their livelihoods.
Attempting to calm the crowd, DC Roshan appealed for dialogue and said, “There is no complexity in life; we create it. Let us sit together, share ideas, and find a way out. Allow me to resolve this first.” The farmers also sought access to the original work order and related notifications.
Roshan assured them of full transparency and addressed the three major concerns raised:
Documents: All records required for the court case will be handed over to the farmers.
Waterlogging: A team will visit the affected areas in Vadgaon and Yellur to identify technical measures for draining stagnant water.
Land Survey: Survey numbers will be checked, and discrepancies corrected. If land not acquired has been wrongly listed, names will be removed; and if land is actually impacted, proper notices will be issued.
Speaking to the media, the DC said work had been halted for nearly ten years due to litigation. After a recent High Court directive, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has resumed construction.
“The farmers are our brothers. We value their agricultural work. All necessary decisions will be taken legally after inspection,” Roshan added.
Officials and engineers from the district administration and NHAI were present during the visit.
