Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana today directed officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to find a permanent solution to the issue of a closed village road in Potli village of Yamunanagar district.

The Minister held a meeting with NHAI officials and farmers at the office of Deputy Commissioner Preeti here to address the long-pending demand of villagers for restoration of an old road that was closed during the construction of the Ambala-Shamli National Highway.

Farmers of Potli village have been staging a dharna near the under-construction highway since September 13, 2025, demanding the restoration of the road by constructing an underpass. They said the road had been completely blocked without providing any crossing.

According to the farmers, a three-yard-wide (around 16-foot) road has existed in the revenue records of Potli village since 1952. They alleged that the highway authorities closed it entirely during construction without making alternative arrangements.

They further said the road earlier connected agricultural fields spread over a large area, but due to the absence of an underpass or crossing, farmers had now lost access to their fields, causing severe hardship.

Addressing the meeting, Rana said farmers were the food providers of the country and resolving their problems was the top priority of the government.

“The demand being made by the farmers regarding restoration of the road is justified,” said the Minister.

He cautioned NHAI officials that failure to restore the road would create serious problems in the future and directed them to consult their senior officers and the Government of India to find a quick and permanent solution.

Deputy Commissioner Preeti also instructed NHAI officials to contact their regional head and senior authorities to apprise them of the issue and expedite action.

Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Naveen Ahuja, Radaur SDM Narender Kumar, DIPRO Dr Manoj Kumar, senior NHAI officials Vishal Kesarwani and Vikram Singh, district president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union Subhash Gurjar, and other officials and farmers were present at the meeting.