Greater Noida: Won’t give land for Eastern Peripheral Expressway, say farmer leaders - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Greater Noida: Won’t give land for Eastern Peripheral Expressway, say farmer leaders

Hindustan Times | By, Greater Noida
Jul 24, 2017 11:35 PM IST

Farmer leaders are demanding better and uniform land compensation for land if farmers are to give up land for the Eastern Peripheral Expressway

Farmers in Greater Noida and adjoining areas said they will not to give their agricultural land for the 135km Eastern Peripheral Expressway. Some farmers have started a campaign in 39 villages to dissuade other farmers from giving up their land for the expressway that aims to decongest Delhi-NCR roads. A meeting was also held on Monday in this regard in Bil Akbarpur village in the district.

Farmers’ bodies in Gautam Budh Nagar districts are meeting farmers in the 39 affected villages to dissuade others from giving land for the Eastern Peripheral Expressway.
Farmers’ bodies in Gautam Budh Nagar districts are meeting farmers in the 39 affected villages to dissuade others from giving land for the Eastern Peripheral Expressway.

The farmers’ stand can further delay the expressway that was supposed to be completed by August this year. Earlier, the Supreme Court had also directed the Central government to complete the project at the earliest as it will reduce air pollution.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

On July 18, BN Singh, district magistrate (DM), Gautam Budh Nagar had finalised a rate of Rs3,640 per square metre (psm) as compensation for farmers of 24 villages whose land is to be acquired for the expressway. The DM also decided to give Rs5 lakh to each farmer’s family. In 2016, the rate was decided at Rs3,500 psm.

However, Teja Gurjar, a farmer leader, said, “The rate of Rs3,640 psm is not acceptable at all. As per the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, the land rate should be four times the prevailing circle rate in village areas. Therefore, farmers will not give land for the Eastern Peripheral Expressway or other industrial projects.”

A 22km stretch of the 135km expressway falls in Gautam Budh Nagar, passing through 39 villages in this district. Farmers from 15 villages had accepted the Rs3,500 psm compensation and given their land, but farmers from the remaining 24 villages had refused to accept the compensation and filed cases in the district court.

“Today (on Monday), we held a meeting with farmers in Bil Akbarpur village, to tell them about the poor land compensation being offered by the government. We will educate farmers in all 39 villages daily and start a major agitation against the government in August. We will also not give land for the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor (DMIC) development projects near Bodaki, Chithera and other villages,” said Sunil Fauji, a farmer leader from the Eastern Peripheral Expressway farmers’ association.

The farmers said the government has given higher compensation to farmers in nearby Ghaziabad district.

“The land compensation should have been uniform and as per prevailing law. Why is Uttar Pradesh acquiring land through direct purchase? They should acquire land by implementing the Land Acquisition Act of 2013,” said Rambir Singh, a farmer.

However, Singh said, “I met a farmers’ delegation from 39 villages today (Monday) and they agreed to give their land. Some people are trying to tell other farmers not to do so, but we will easily make land available for the Eastern Peripheral Expressway because it is project of national importance. They should respect the Supreme Court order.”

“We will discuss issues with the farmers and reach a solution. We will ensure they get justice and that we settle issues amicably,” said Debashish Panda, chief executive officer, Greater Noida authority.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Vinod Rajput writes on environment, infrastructure, real estate and government policies in Noida and Greater Noida. He has reported on environment and infrastructure in Delhi, Gurgaon and Panchkula in the past.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On