Citizens submitting a memorandum to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at Kolhapur.
BELAGAVI
Stating that Belagavi is a convenient market, health, educational and industrial centre for the people of Sindhudurg, Goa and neighbouring talukas of Belagavi, citizens have urged Union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari to declare and develop the Belagavi-Vengurla state highway as national highway.
A memorandum was handed over to Gadkari during his visit to Kolhapur to lay the foundation of the Basket Bridge.
Belagavi is an industrial, historical and tourism centre as well as a well-equipped market, health, educational and industrial centre. The city also nests important military and commando training centres.
Scores of commuters from Goa take this route, especially to reach the newly inaugurated Mopa airport in Goa, Chippi airport in Sindhudurg and Reddy port.
There is a heavy traffic on this road as people from Chandgad along with Ajra, Gadhinglaj, Dodamarg, Sawantwadi, Vengurla, Malvan and Goa commute on this route.
“Belagavi-Vengurla road also connects State Highway No 180 to Kolhapur, Sindhudurg and Belagavi districts of Karnataka as well as important highways. Therefore, it is necessary to convert this state highway to national highway,” the memorandum states.
If it is developed as a highway, it will facilitate transportation of agricultural products, vegetables, groceries from Belagavi, fish from Goa and Sindhudurg and alphonso mangoes from Konkan.
The memorandum was submitted in presence of former MP Raju Shetty by Shashikant Redekar, Shivaji Bhogan, Ajit Turte, Yashwant Injal, Dattatray Mohite, Suyog Jadhav, Vivek Bille and others.
