Punjab Newsline | Mohali
Bharatmala Highway project has become a source of growing resentment among residents of several villages, including Machhli, Pawala, Gidarpura, Garoliyan, Soy Majra, Biro Majri, Naraina, Pattaran and Patto, as unresolved connectivity issues continue to disrupt daily life. Villagers and farmer organizations have now intensified their campaign, demanding immediate infrastructure improvements and warning of stronger protests if their concerns remain unaddressed.
On Wednesday, representatives of farmer unions and local communities met district administration officials to reiterate their long-pending demands. The villagers said that although National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials had assured them nearly five months ago that their issues would be resolved, no visible progress has been made on the ground.
The protesters are primarily demanding the construction of a service road between Pawala and Machhli, adequate entry and exit points on the highway, and additional underpasses for farmers. They claim that several traditional village roads were closed during the highway’s construction, disrupting connectivity between villages and making travel difficult for residents.
Farmers say the situation has become particularly challenging because many agricultural fields are now divided by the highway. The lack of proper crossings has made it difficult to move tractors, harvesters and other farm machinery from one side of the highway to the other, increasing both travel time and operational costs.
Residents also pointed out that the issue affects more than just the farming community. Schoolchildren, school buses, emergency services and daily commuters are being forced to take longer routes due to the closure of old access roads. According to villagers, the absence of proper infrastructure has created safety concerns and added inconvenience for thousands of people in the region.
Farmer leaders stated that several rounds of meetings have already taken place with NHAI and district administration officials, but the assurances given during those discussions have yet to translate into concrete action. Frustrated by the delay, villagers have warned that they may intensify their agitation, including staging demonstrations and gheraoing NHAI offices, if their demands are not met soon.
While stressing that they are not opposed to development projects, the villagers said infrastructure growth should not come at the cost of local connectivity and agricultural livelihoods. They urged authorities to make necessary changes to the highway design and provide adequate service roads, underpasses and safe access points to ensure that development benefits everyone.
