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Over 3,000 Farmers to Lose Livelihood for Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway Project, Demand Higher Compensation

Reported by

Surabhi Bhandari

Legal Review by

Edited by

Updated by

Published on

October 3, 2016

May 17, 2022

Edited on

October 3, 2016

State

Gujarat

Sector

Infrastructure

People Affected by Conflict

1598

Households Affected by Conflict

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

3205

ha

Starting Year

2016

Location of Conflict

Vadodara, Valsad, Dapivali, Sonavale and Yeranjad

Navsari

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Roads

Land Conflict Summary

The VadodaraMumbai Expressway project has been facing stiff opposition from land owners in Navsari and Valsad districts in Gujarat, thereby delaying the land acquisition process. Over 22 villages are likely to be affected by this 380kilometre road project. In June 2016, around 35 people were detained to prevent them from protesting when the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials reached one of the villages for measurement activities. There have been reports of stone pelting and light lathi charge; the measurement activities were carried out in spite of the protest. The land acquisition will lead to the loss of livelihood for over 3,100 families in these villages as their main source of income is agriculture. Even though the government has promised land in lieu of land and house in lieu of house to the affected families, till date, government officials have not taken any steps to ensure that. The project has received all the mandatory clearances. In September and October 2019, the Gujarat high court passed orders directing the state government to apply a multiplying factor of 2.00 instead of 1.00 and recalculate the compensation payable to farmers. The state government, however, challenged the orders in the Supreme Court. In June 2020, the Navsari district administration started issuing compensation notices to farmers to expedite land acquisition for the VadodaraMumbai Expressway project, giving them two months to give up their land. The notice stated that to avail compensation, the farmers have to submit certified copies of their PAN card, voter ID card or driving licence, along with two copies of photographs, a copy of their bank passbook and the government documents related to the land. A week prior, the NHAI officials forcefully procured agricultural lands from farmers of Old Diva village in Bharuch district, and over 35 farmers who protested were detained by the police. Sailesh, a farmer who was given INR 1.21 lakh for his 2.3035 hectares of land, told the media, "The compensation amount for my land is negligible. I cannot buy another piece of land with this money and the leftover land is so less. I have been cultivating vegetables. Now my income will stop." According to Khedut Samaj Gujarat Navsari District President Pinakin Patel, the compensation is being paid at 2011 _jantri _rates. In January 2021, responding to the plea filed by the state government in 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the Gujarat high court's orders, guaranteeing an additional payment of INR 200 crore in total.

Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for more compensation than promised

Refusal to give up land for the project

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Urban

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

1755

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Legal Data

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Other, Land Acquisition Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

National Highways Act, 1956
Section 3E [This section empowers the competent authority to issue notice and take possession of land where it has vested in the Central government and compensation has been paid]; Section 3G (7)[ This section states that factors to be considered for determination of compensation include market value, the damage suffered and the costs of changing residence or place of business]
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Section 26 [This section states the factors to be considered in determination of market value of land, including the market value stated in the Indian Stamp Act, the average sale price for similar land nearby etc.]; Section 27 [This section requires the determination and payment of compensation payable to the land owner]; Section 80 [This section requires payment of interest at nine per cent per annum for delay in payment of compensation from the time possession has been taken]; Section 105(3) [This section states that the Central government may notify applicability of compensation provisions to land acquisition under Fourth Schedule Statutes for which orders have been issued relating to the National Highways Act, 1956]; Section 28 [This section enlists the parameters to be considered in determining the compensation, including the market value, damage caused to interested persons because of severance of land, taking of standing crops, moving of residence or business or reduction in profits etc.]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Incorrect estimation of compensation

Forced evictions/dispossession of land

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Disposed

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

High Court of Gujarat, Supreme Court of India

Case Number

C/SCA/467/2019

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

Arrest/detention/imprisonment

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Around 35 people were detained to prevent them from protesting when the National Highways Authority of India officials reached one of the villages for measurement activities. There have also been reports of stone pelting and light lathi charge.

Date of Violation

June 10, 2016

Location of Violation

Kebada village

Additional Information

Nature of Protest

Stone pelting

Protests/marches

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

National Highways Authority of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Resources

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Images

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Video

The VadodaraMumbai Expressway project has been facing stiff opposition from land owners in Navsari and Valsad districts in Gujarat, thereby delaying the land acquisition process. Over 22 villages are likely to be affected by this 380kilometre road project. In June 2016, around 35 people were detained to prevent them from protesting when the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials reached one of the villages for measurement activities. There have been reports of stone pelting and light lathi charge; the measurement activities were carried out in spite of the protest. The land acquisition will lead to the loss of livelihood for over 3,100 families in these villages as their main source of income is agriculture. Even though the government has promised land in lieu of land and house in lieu of house to the affected families, till date, government officials have not taken any steps to ensure that. The project has received all the mandatory clearances. In September and October 2019, the Gujarat high court passed orders directing the state government to apply a multiplying factor of 2.00 instead of 1.00 and recalculate the compensation payable to farmers. The state government, however, challenged the orders in the Supreme Court. In June 2020, the Navsari district administration started issuing compensation notices to farmers to expedite land acquisition for the VadodaraMumbai Expressway project, giving them two months to give up their land. The notice stated that to avail compensation, the farmers have to submit certified copies of their PAN card, voter ID card or driving licence, along with two copies of photographs, a copy of their bank passbook and the government documents related to the land. A week prior, the NHAI officials forcefully procured agricultural lands from farmers of Old Diva village in Bharuch district, and over 35 farmers who protested were detained by the police. Sailesh, a farmer who was given INR 1.21 lakh for his 2.3035 hectares of land, told the media, "The compensation amount for my land is negligible. I cannot buy another piece of land with this money and the leftover land is so less. I have been cultivating vegetables. Now my income will stop." According to Khedut Samaj Gujarat Navsari District President Pinakin Patel, the compensation is being paid at 2011 _jantri _rates. In January 2021, responding to the plea filed by the state government in 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the Gujarat high court's orders, guaranteeing an additional payment of INR 200 crore in total.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for more compensation than promised

Refusal to give up land for the project

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Urban

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest

Total investment involved (in Crores):

1755

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Other, Land Acquisition Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

National Highways Act, 1956
Section 3E [This section empowers the competent authority to issue notice and take possession of land where it has vested in the Central government and compensation has been paid]; Section 3G (7)[ This section states that factors to be considered for determination of compensation include market value, the damage suffered and the costs of changing residence or place of business]
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Section 26 [This section states the factors to be considered in determination of market value of land, including the market value stated in the Indian Stamp Act, the average sale price for similar land nearby etc.]; Section 27 [This section requires the determination and payment of compensation payable to the land owner]; Section 80 [This section requires payment of interest at nine per cent per annum for delay in payment of compensation from the time possession has been taken]; Section 105(3) [This section states that the Central government may notify applicability of compensation provisions to land acquisition under Fourth Schedule Statutes for which orders have been issued relating to the National Highways Act, 1956]; Section 28 [This section enlists the parameters to be considered in determining the compensation, including the market value, damage caused to interested persons because of severance of land, taking of standing crops, moving of residence or business or reduction in profits etc.]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Incorrect estimation of compensation

Forced evictions/dispossession of land

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Disposed

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

High Court of Gujarat, Supreme Court of India

Case Number

C/SCA/467/2019

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

Arrest/detention/imprisonment

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Around 35 people were detained to prevent them from protesting when the National Highways Authority of India officials reached one of the villages for measurement activities. There have also been reports of stone pelting and light lathi charge.

Date of Violation

June 10, 2016

Location of Violation

Kebada village

Nature of Protest

Stone pelting

Protests/marches

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

National Highways Authority of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Documented By

Text Link

Reviewed By

Text Link

Updated By

Text Link

Edited By

Text LinkLand Conflict Watch

Other Land Conflicts in Gujarat

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