‘Won’t give land for bullet train’

Mumbai: A group of farmers from Palghar told the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) representatives that they do not want to give up their land for the bullet train project. During a meeting with JICA representatives, who were visiting Gujarat to discuss the issue of land acquisition for the project with the farmers of Maharashtra and Gujarat, they presented their arguments for refusing to give up their land. They also alleged that the Environment Impact Assessment report for the project was flawed and even the gram sabhas have refused the project.

As many as 800 persons, including farmers gathered at the demonstration to meet the JICA representatives on Friday, along with farmers from Palghar.  The company is slated to provide a fund of ‘1.08 lakh crore for the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. “We have categorically told the JICA representatives that we do not want the bullet train in the area. It is a complete waste of funds, which should instead be diverted to upgrading the railway network through which farmers like us travel on a regular basis,” said Samir Vartak, an activist working with farmers and tribals affected by the bullet train in Palghar and Dahanu areas.

“We have also highlighted that the gram sabhas here have still not given their consent to the bullet train project in Palghar. However, the authorities have misrepresented facts to JICA, stating that all farmers here have consented to give up their land. It is a violation of constitutional provision like Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996,” said Shashi Sonawane, a member of Bhumiputra Bachao Andolan, a campaign against the land acquisition for the bullet train.

Farmers from Gujarat have also raised concerns over the acquisition of land and the compensation process for the bullet train in areas like Surat, Valsad and Vapsi, among others.