India, June 15 -- In a strong show of public opposition, residents of Pandharpur conducted a symbolic secret ballot on Saturday to register their dissent against the proposed Pandharpur corridor project. Organised by the Pandharpur Tirth Kshetra Bachao Samiti, the initiative sought to collect transparent, fear-free feedback from those directly affected by the controversial development plan.

The vote was held across several localities in the town. Of the 485 participants, 458 voted against the corridor, 15 were in favour, nine remained neutral, and three votes were declared invalid.

"This symbolic vote has exposed the illusion created by the administration and brought the truth to light," said Abhay Singh Ichganokar-Kulkarni, head of the...