Pune: Villagers Stage Protest Against Modified Ring Road Plan, Seek Resolution

Nasrapur, 9th July 2023: Villagers from Shivre in Bhor taluka took to the Pune-Satara highway today in protest against the modified plan for the ring road, demanding that land acquisition not be allowed in Shivre village. The protesters, accompanied by cows and buffaloes, voiced their discontent with the new plan.

A significant number of villagers participated in the protest, which was eventually suspended after assurances from a police officer and the Bhor Tehsildar that a definite solution would be found.

The old ring road plan has been replaced by a new notification, prompting the villagers of Shivre to advocate for the implementation of the original plan, which involves utilizing approximately 223 acres of horticultural land in Shivre village for the ring road.

Despite the presence of various political office bearers, government officials, leaders, and ministers in the region over the past few days, the villagers felt their demands were being overlooked, leading them to organize the protest on the highway. The prolonged roadblock caused significant traffic congestion in both directions. Police intervention was necessary to clear the road and disperse the protestors.

Notable figures present during the demonstration included Shivre Sarpanch Amrita Gaikwad, Upsarpanch Yogesh Dalvi, former Upsarpanch Mauli Dimble, Suryakant Paigude, Krishna Dimble, Sopan Dimble, Nikhil Dimble, Dhanesh Dimble, Atul Ingulkar, Sunil Dimble, Pandharinath Dimble, and Advocate Bhaskar Jagdale. The presence of women among the villagers was particularly significant during the protest.

Mauli Dimble, the former Sarpanch, expressed concern about the new road structure, highlighting the noticeable deviation from agricultural and hilly areas. With the new plan proposing the use of 223 acres of horticultural land in Shivre village, the protestors vehemently opposed the potential destruction of their entire village. Mauli Dimble warned that if their protest did not receive the attention it deserved, they would stage an even more forceful demonstration in front of the collector’s office.

Krishna Dimble emphasized that land in Shivre village had already been acquired for the tower line, highway, and the Bormal to Baneshwar route. The acquisition of such a large area for the ring road would essentially lead to the village’s disappearance. Krishna Dimble made it clear that their intent was not to harm anyone passing through the hilly and agricultural regions where the ring road is planned.

Present at the spot on behalf of the administration were National Highway Authority Officer Ram Lathad, Bhor Tehsildar Sachin Patil, police officer Tanaji Barde, Rekha Vani, and Police Inspector Sachin Patil.

Tehsildar Sachin Patil addressed the crowd, mentioning that a meeting had already taken place on Thursday between Shivre villagers and officials from the Highway Authority and the MSRDC. The concerned department had suggested organizing a meeting with senior officers to present a positive proposal and work towards a resolution.

The villagers suspended their protest as officials assured them of finding a solution regarding the land acquisition in the village. However, they issued a warning that they would protest in front of the District Collector’s office if justice was not served.