Bullet train alignment cannot change: Agency

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Monday asked the National High-Speed Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) and the Thane city collector to file an affidavit stating by when they would initiate land acquisition proceedings in Mumbra area in Thane for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

A division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Revati Mohite-Dere was hearing a petition filed by the construction firm ‘Atlanta Limited’, challenging a notice to stop work on a land now reserved for the bullet train project.

The company had moved HC in September against a notice issued on May 2 by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), asking it to stop the construction work on its three hectare land near Mumbra.

According to the notice, the building was coming up on the land reserved for the bullet train project spread across three districts of Maharashtra.

The bench on Monday suggested the parties to settle the matter amicably.

Senior counsel M.M. Vashi, appearing for the petitioner, told the high court that they were ready to settle the matter.

Following this, the bench asked the NHSRCL and the Thane city collector to inform the court by when it would initiate proceedings for land acquisition and deferred hearing on the petition till January 14.

Justice More said that now NHSRCL cannot change the alignment of the track. “So, eventually they will have to acquire land. It is best to sit together and settle the matter. The authorities will pay the company compensation as per fair market price,” said the judge.

According to the petition, the company has already constructed two residential towers on the land and work on the third tower is underway. Vashi said the project was issued commencement certificate and all other requisite permissions were taken.