Gujarat
,
Padra
,
Vadodara
Published :
|
Updated :
Farmers stop Padra-Jambusar four-lane highway construction over unpaid compensation
Reported by
Suchak Patel
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Sourabh Rai, Amrita Chekkutty
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
Households affected
People affected
Year started
ha.
Land area affected
Households affected
People Affected
Year started
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Infrastructure
Reason/Cause of conflict
Roads
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
Sector
Infrastructure
Reason/Cause of conflict
Roads
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
1
Summary

In November 2024, farmers of Vadu and nearby villages in Gujarat's Vadodara district vehemently protested against the construction of Padra-Jambusar four-lane highway alleging that their land had been taken without legal acquisition or compensation.

Stating that they have neither been compensated nor have their land been acquired, farmers stopped the ongoing construction work.

Documents obtained through an RTI reveal that several affected farmers have not received compensation for their acquired land. For example, Takhtasingh Parmar, one of the aggrieved farmers, lodged a complaint with the Mamlatdar, who subsequently directed the matter to the Executive Engineer. This is not an isolated case—other landowners, including Bharatbhai Pate and Charului Spices—have also raised concerns about irregularities in the acquisition process.

Former MLAs and district panchayat members arrived at the protest site, questioning the contractors and police about the legal documentation supporting the land acquisition. As officials failed to present valid evidence, a high-level meeting was called to address the farmers' grievances. The dispute centres around the claim that the acquisition process lacked proper notifications under Section 11 of the LARR Act 2013, leaving farmers without legal recourse or financial relief.

The protesting farmers argue that their land has been taken unfairly, with trees uprooted and threats issued instead of rightful compensation. In response, the government convened a meeting at the Padra Taluka Mamlatdar’s office to discuss a resolution. During the meeting, farmers demanded transparency in the acquisition process and insisted on seeing official records before any further construction could proceed.

Farmers warned that if their demands were not met, they would resort to extreme measures, even threatening to kill themselves in protest. They emphasized that they were not against development but sought justice and due compensation for their land. Despite efforts by officials from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department and police to pacify the protestors, the absence of clear documentation fuelled resistance.

As tensions persist, the state government faces mounting pressure to resolve the issue transparently and ensure fair compensation. Until a resolution is reached, the construction of the Padra-Jambusar highway remains stalled as farmers are determined to fight for their rights.

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Complaint against procedural violations

Demand for compensation

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Private

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?

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

Agricultural land

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

193

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

2024

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

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:

5
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?

Legal Supporting Documents

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today
Author
Reported by
Show more work
Latest updates
Karbi Anglong
Assam

Controversy erupts over Assam's 1000 MW solar power project in Karbi Anglong

Chengalpattu
Tamil Nadu

EC for Sun Pharma's expansion in Vedanthangal bird sanctuary put to abeyance

Purulia
West Bengal

Land acquisition for Turga storage project in West Bengal violates FRA

Hooghly
West Bengal

Hooghly residents in West Bengal oppose railway project over water body

Paschim Medinipur
West Bengal

Jindal Group returns land to West Bengal government, land losers demand jobs

Sundergarh
Odisha

Villagers in Odisha's Sundergarh protest over delay in R&R settlement for land acquired in 1988 for Mahanadi Coalfields

Nuapada
Odisha

Displaced people of Lower Indra Irrigation project await rehabilitation

Jajpur
Odisha

Farmers affected by Angul-Sukinda railway line in Odisha demand adequate compensation

Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Complaint against procedural violations

Demand for compensation

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

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?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Agricultural land

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today
Conflicts Map
Conflict Database
About Us