Farmers refuse to give land for Bullet Train

Mumbai: Land acquisition for the ambitious bullet train project has become easier for the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with the Gujarat high court rejecting at least 120 petitions by farmers challenging the acquisition. However, Palghar and Dahanu farmers are still reluctant to handover their land for the project.

NHSRCL officials said that while the Gujarat HC’s rejection of petitions had rem-oved a hurdle in the path, the farmers could get better compensation for their lan-ds. “Some farmers in Guj-arat and Maharashtra had issues regarding compensation. Now, the Gujarat HC has stated that they can seek higher compensation. We have already been acquiring a major portion of land in the Thane district,” said an official.

Farmers and tribal groups in Palghar are planning a huge demonstration against the project in the coming days. “The Gujarat HC judgment will not allow the NHSRCL to acquire our lands. There has been a gram sabha resolution thrice against the bullet train project, and the state cannot take our lands forcibly. We did not let them survey our lands before and we won’t let them do it now,” said Shashi Sonawane, member of the Bhumi Putra Bachao Andolan, an umbrella group against the bullet train project.

Under the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1996, grazing lands cannot be acquired by project proponents (in this case, NHSRCL) without the consent of the gram sabha. The locals of Dahanu feel that the Centre is forcibly trying to bring development projects into the eco-sensitive zone of Dahanu.

“Apart from forcing the bullet train project, the Centre has said in the Supreme Court to remove the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority. This will pave the way for construction of other projects,” said Bhushan Bhoir, marine enthusiast.