Sugarcane growers block roads at various places in Dharwad, Haveri and Gadag districts

Sugarcane growers staged road blockades at various places in Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri on Tuesday (October 13), demanding a higher price for sugarcane and a revision of the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar.

The protests followed talks between farmers’ representatives and Union Ministers in New Delhi on Monday (October 12) that failed to yield an immediate solution. The growers are seeking a remunerative price for sugarcane that covers production costs, an increase in the MSP of sugar and other measures to protect their interests.

The road blockages on national highways were held at Yarikoppa Cross and Tegur near Dharwad, Gabbur Cross and Noolvi Cross near Hubballi, Bankapur in Haveri district and Mulagund Cross, Halligudi Cross and Hitnal Toll in Gadag district. Although the call was for blocking the highways from dawn to dusk, most of the the blockades were cleared by afternoon, but extended beyond Sunset at few places.

The road blockage near Yarikoppa Cross on Pune-Bengaluru national highway began as early as 9 a.m. and continued till late in the evening. Several farmer leaders reached Yarikoppa protest venue in the evening and addressed the protestors. subsequently the road blockade continued beyond 7 p.m.

As a precautionary measure, the police had deployed personnel at the spot, while the Hubballi-Dharwad traffic police diverted vehicles to minimise disruption. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase and Superintendent of Police of Dharwad district Gunjan Arya visited the protest venues to take stock of the situation.

On account of the road blockades, vehicles entering Hubballi from the Narendra bypass were advised to travel via the University of Agricultural Sciences, the new bus stand, the old Superintendent of Police office circle and Jubilee Circle in Dharwad.

Light motor vehicles travelling from Dharwad towards Karwar and Bengaluru were diverted via Hosur, Vani Vilas, M.T. Mill and Indi Pump Circle, while heavy vehicles were directed through Gokul Road and the Tarihal underbridge.

Additional diversions were announced on account of blockades by farmers and motorists were guided by the police personnel. While light motor vehicles were diverted through alternate routes, heavy vehicles had a difficult time because of the protest.