Farmers challenge bullet train in HC

Mumbai: Farmers from Palghar district have approached the Bombay high court challenging the stance of Maharashtra government for land acquisition for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor. The petitioners have challenged the state government’s decision to acquire land under ‘Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2018’, recently amended by the state government.

According to petitioners, since two states are involved in this project the government is bound to acquire land under Central government’s ‘Right to Fair Compen-sation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013.’

The petition questioned that as the bullet train project corridor falls under two states, the land acquisition can be done only by the Central government and not the state government under the said act.

The petition has been filed by two farmers, Sadanand Ravte and Nathu Pathare, who own one hectare and 0.85 hectare of land in Khaniwade area of Palghar district, which is stated to be acquired for the bullet train.

The petition stated that, “Despite Section 3(e) of the Central Act, state has issued a notification dated March 31, 2018, stating its intention to arrive at a consensus through discussion and negotiation with the landowners declaring its intention to acquire. The petitioner’s land forms part of the land that is proposed to be acquired by the state government.”

Meanwhile, officials of the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) have stated that the process of land acquisition in state area will be completed by December 2018.

The estimate cost for the project is Rs 1.08 lakh crore out of which JICA will provide financial aid of Rs 88,000 crore.