BKU dharna enters fifth day over demand for underpass on Shamli-Ambala highway

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) continued its dharna for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday, demanding the construction of an underpass on the Shamli-Ambala highway near Potli village in Radaur subdivision of Yamunanagar.

Farmers, who have pitched a tent on the under-construction road, have also stopped work on a stretch of the highway.

BKU district president Subhash Gurjar said a 16-foot-wide village road, recorded in revenue documents since 1952, has been blocked during highway construction without providing a crossing. “This road connected farmers to their fields over a vast area. With the crossing denied, how will farmers whose land lies across the highway reach their fields?” he asked.

He added the road was mainly used by Potli village farmers for agricultural purposes. “An officer of the National Highways Authority met us and assured to solve the issue. But we will not lift our dharna until our demand is fulfilled,” Gurjar said.