Bullet train work to start after 90 per cent land acquired

Mumbai: After the uproar over the bullet train project and opposition from the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the state government has decided to acquire land only by consent from owners. The assurance was given in the Legislative Council by revenue minister Chandrakant Patil. Mr Patil further said that the government would not start the project till 90 per cent of the land had been acquired. As such, planning may be extended to start work in June.

The Sena, MNS and all opposition parties have been opposing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. Notwithstanding, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is going ahead with the project as it is a dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gujarat will get more benefit from the project and the PM is very keen to start work on it. So, the plan is to start work on it from June. The government is acquiring land in Palghar and Thane district but the owners are not ready to give the land. Mr Fadnavis’ dream project, the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi corridor, is also facing problems in terms of land acquisition which is underway only through owners’ consent.

The government had made a legal provision that it could acquire land for important projects without the permission of the gram sabha.However, to avoid further controversies over land acquisition, the government has decided to acquire land only through the consent of owners. Sixty-five per cent of land has been acquired through consent and officials are trying to get all lands for the project by consent in Palghar and Thane districts.

However, the government has decided not to issue work orders for the project, till it gets possession of 90 per cent of the land. Work was scheduled to start in June which may get delayed, said sources. The government is also acquiring land for the Wadhawan port and four-laning of the Dahanu-Ahmedabad highway, which will also be done by consent only, said Mr Patil.

The Sena initially opposed the Samruddhi corridor project but later, PWD minister and Sena leader Eknath Shinde cleared major hurdles of land acquisition. Though the Sena is opposing the bullet train project, the transport department led by Sena leader Diwakar Raote has initiated the project and is implementing it. BJP leaders are expecting that the Sena will cool down in the matter as well.